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A legend's son could head up sports authority
2007-05-23

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

By JOHN BRENNAN
STAFF WRITER

The son of legendary Meadowlands Sports Complex figure Sonny Werblin is among three men who've been interviewed to succeed George Zoffinger as president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, three sources familiar with the selection process said Tuesday.

The contenders:
? Thomas Werblin, son of David "Sonny" Werblin -- who helped transform swampland into Giants Stadium, The Meadowlands Racetrack and Continental Arena. Thomas Werblin is a financier, former New York Cosmos general manager and horse racing official.

? Michael Rowe, who was a sports authority vice president until he departed in 1995 to begin a five-year stint as New Jersey Nets president. He runs a sports management consulting firm in Cranbury called Positive Impact.

? Frank Vuono of Lyndhurst, the founder of 16W Marketing in Rutherford and a former NFL Properties executive.

It is not clear if anyone else will be interviewed. Zoffinger, who's held the job since 2002, submitted his resignation in late January, but has stayed on pending selection of a replacement.

Sports authority Chairman Carl Goldberg is leading a search committee that was appointed by Governor Corzine in February. Goldberg would not discuss the identity of candidates. The interviews were conducted last week.

The sports authority's staff has declined from 300 full-time employees to fewer than 200 under Zoffinger's tenure, and the agency's future is in question.

The Jets and Giants are about to construct and manage a privately funded football stadium; Continental Arena may not survive a battle with Newark's new Prudential Center; and The Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park could be sold or leased to private interests. The $2 billion Xanadu retail and entertainment complex also will be privately run.

State Senate President Richard Codey, who has always maintained a close interest in the sports complex, recommended Rowe in 2002. Instead, then-Gov. James McGreevey selected Zoffinger. If Rowe is chosen, Zoffinger is less likely to hold an advisory role for the $20 million Breeder's Cup -- the "Super Bowl of thoroughbred racing" that will be held at Monmouth Park in late October.
Werblin was a vice president of marketing for the New York City Offtrack Betting Corp. in 1995-96 and is a director for Coast Capital Partners of Spring Lake.

Werblin's father, a former owner of the Jets who later ran Madison Square Garden, was the sports authority's first chairman in 1971. The elder Werblin, who died in 1991, was a prominent Hollywood power broker who brought much-needed credibility to the unconventional idea of putting a sports complex atop a swamp. He persuaded the Giants to move to New Jersey, setting in motion the development of the entire complex by 1981.

Vuono co-founded Integrated Sports International in 1993, where he worked with a mix of sports and corporate clients. He has consulted for the sports authority on various projects.

Rowe served as chief operating officer at the sports complex as well as general manager for Continental Arena. He has worked closely over the years with the Giants, helping to broker a deal for a new Meadowlands stadium.

E-mail: brennan@northjersey.com
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