990WBOB
James Skeffington, 73, died Sunday of a heart attack following an evening jog near his Barrington home.
Skeffington was part of a group of ten that purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox in early 2015 and unveiled a plan to relocate the team to Providence. Skeffington became the face of a plan to build a new stadium in downtown Providence on the former I-195 land.
Skeffington's death comes amid the controversial lobbying campaign to secure funding and tax breaks from the state to facilitate the new ballpark. Governor Gina Raimondo had rejected Skeffington's first proposal -- calling for a 30-year lease agreement with the state footing $120 million over that span -- as unfair to taxpayers. The sides continued to work together to seek more reasonable options.
Skeffington will be remembered as one of the state's best lawyers and businessmen. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and had a passion for everything baseball. Related ContentPaw Sox Leaving Pawtucket
POLL: Do You Support the New Providence Stadium Plan?
Downtown Stadium Can Be an Asset, Not a Liability
Pulse on Politics - Public Displays of DysfunctionPawSox Owners Looking for Taxpayers to Subsidize their Field of Dreams
Pulse on Politics: Rhode Island - Home of the PawSox (and Sweetheart Deals)
|
WBOB
|
