Columbus Arena Purchase Goes Forward

Columbus, Ohio, officials have approved a plan to keep the National Hockey Leagues’ Blue Jackets in the city by allowing their home, Nationwide Arena, to be purchased with the help of casino revenue.

The financially strapped Blue Jackets would stay in Columbus until 2039 under the proposal. The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority would buy the arena from Nationwide Realty Investors using state and other loans and receive part of tax revenues from a casino being built in Columbus.

Nationwide would invest $52 million in the Blue Jackets and take a 30 percent interest in the team.
The plan faces additional approval from the mayor and the county.