EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey met for the first time with the New York Jets on Wednesday and asked them to stay in New Jersey, while his chief counsel met with the New York Giants in an attempt to iron out a deal on a new stadium.
The two-pronged discussion was an attempt to forestall the Jets' plans to move to a proposed stadium on the West Side of Manhattan, and an effort to help the Giants build a stadium to replace one that is among the oldest for NFL teams.
While appreciative of Codey's concern, the Jets said they are committed to building their own stadium in New York, said George Zoffinger, the chief executive of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
"It was a very cordial meeting," Zoffinger said of the 90-minute meeting held in the authority's offices at the Meadowlands Racetrack. "The governor made clear that he would like the Jets to stay in New Jersey."
Jets spokesman Ron Colangelo said Matt Higgins was handling all Jets' comments on the meeting. Higgins did not immediately return a telephone message left on his cell phone.
"I just stopped in and made a pitch," Codey told an Associated Press reporter Wednesday night at Continental Airlines Arena, where he was attending the Lakers-Nets NBA game. "I wanted them to know that we want them. I wanted to date them and then marry them up."
Meanwhile, Codey's chief counsel, Paul Fader, met for about four hours Wednesday with Giants officials at their offices in Giants Stadium, team spokesman Pat Hanlon said.
Kelley Heck, the governor's spokeswoman, said that meeting "continued to make progress toward an agreement." She said Codey and the Giants will resume the discussions next week.
The Giants are concerned about the impact of the Xanadu retail and entertainment development proposed for the Meadowlands complex on their plans for a new $700 million stadium.
Giants executive vice president John Mara said Tuesday the team will insist that Xanadu businesses be closed on days of home games. He said having Xanadu open on game days would create a parking nightmare for fans attending games.
"John said he felt they made progress in several areas but he would not elaborate," Hanlon said after talking to Mara about the meeting. "Overall, it was positive."
Mara, who did not return a call left by the Associated Press on Wednesday, insisted Tuesday that an agreement needs to be reached quickly if the Giants are to open their new stadium for the 2008 season.
The Giants want to replace their existing stadium to reap more revenue from luxury boxes and concessions and to add premium club seating.
In addition to building the stadium, the team has reportedly agreed to pay the state $6.3 million a year in rent and payments instead of taxes. That amount would allow the sports authority to cover interest payments on the existing Giants Stadium, a requirement set by Codey.
Other tenants of the Meadowlands complex also are planning to leave. The new owner of the New Jersey Nets, who play at Continental Airlines Arena, plans to build an arena in Brooklyn, N.Y., and the New Jersey Devils are planning a move from the arena to a new venue in downtown Newark.
