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Seminoles Find Home At Yankee Stadium

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By TED JACKOVICS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2008

TAMPA - The Seminole Tribe of Florida plans to take another bite out of the Big Apple.
Tribal officials said Wednesday that they have struck an agreement to open a Hard Rock Cafe and a NYY Steaks restaurant at the new Yankee Stadium, which is scheduled to open in New York next spring. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The NYY Steaks restaurant - with NYY standing for New York Yankees - will be based on the same dining concepts and menu used at the Council Oak Steaks & Seafood restaurant at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, tribal officials said Wednesday. The stadium restaurant will seat 160 patrons.

The Hard Rock Cafe is slated to be 8,000 square feet. Together with the NYY restaurant, it will occupy a gate area near the stadium's main entrance. It will be the second Hard Rock venue in New York; there is one in Times Square.

"We think the Hard Rock brand is truly recognized around the world as are the New York Yankees," Seminole gaming Chief Executive Officer Jim Allen said.

For the Seminole Tribe, the restaurant in New York will augment and diversify the Tribe's myriad casino, restaurant, hotel and outdoor adventures in Florida and elsewhere, which it expanded in 2006 with the $965 million purchase of Hard Rock business operations.

The $1.3 billion new Yankee Stadium, has been designed to expand the team's premium revenue market, including 56 private luxury suites, compared with 19 at the current stadium. Also, the new stadium will feature 15 dining and lounge options, compared with four at the current venue.

Reporter Mary Shedden contributed to this report. Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at tjackovics@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7817.

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