Citi Backing Off Deal ?

From The Hardball Times:

Citi rumored to back off from stadium naming deal

In 2006, Citigroup agreed to what was then the most lucrative stadium naming rights deal when it signed on with the New York Mets and their new ballpark. Now just two-and-a-half years later, with the banking crisis in full swing, there’s some noise being made about what many think is a frivolous purchase. While nothing formal has been announced yet, according to some rumors, Citi may try to back away from the deal and if that happens, it’s pretty safe to say that there’s a good chance that a lawsuit will follow.

Through the end of 2008, the demolition of former New York Mets home Shea Stadium had largely left the structure of the park alone. Now, since the end of the year as the work on Citi Field continues, the actual stadium structure has begun to come down. When it’s all said and done, 10,000 tons of steel and 2,500 tons of concrete will get pulled out of Shea Stadium and the recycled concrete will be used as the base for the stadium’s parking lot.

All of this work didn’t stop a small group of fans from saying goodbye to their team’s ballpark this past Saturday. More than 100 fans met up for an unofficial good-bye to the ballpark in order to commiserate with other Mets fans.