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Yanks, Mets Dig In for Stadium Sell-Offs

Teams expect to make millions auctioning off pieces of closing parks

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2008 2:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Demolition isn’t usually very profitable—unless you’re knocking down Yankee Stadium or Shea Stadium and auctioning off every last brick. When New York’s stadiums close at season’s end, they’ll transform into a merchandising windfall, Newsweek reports. Seats, lockers, scoreboards and maybe even infield dirt will be up for sale, and should easily net the clubs upward of $10 million.

Fans are already trying to claim souvenirs; the Yankees are pressing charges against a pair who tried to steal some upper-deck bunting. Pairs of seats will fetch at least $1,000 each by themselves, one expert said. But some fans won’t be buying in. “It would be like taking something off a corpse,” said one opponent of public stadium financing. "Besides, I already took a seat from Yankee Stadium in 1976."

A giant U.S. flag is unfurled in center field during ceremonies for the first game of the final season at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
A giant U.S. flag is unfurled in center field during ceremonies for the first game of the final season at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays players line up for the national anthem, sung by a West Point cadet, during the opening day baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays players line up for the national anthem, sung by a West Point cadet, during the opening day baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino connects for a single during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Shea Stadium in New York.
Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino connects for a single during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Shea Stadium in New York.   (AP Photo/Tom Ferrara, Pool)
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