Football Giants getting a new stadium

State officials approved a new $750 million stadium for the New York Giants that should be ready for the 2009 season, a year later than first expected. Eleven commissioners of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority voted in favor of the stadium plan April 22, while four abstained. The arena

Officials have said taxpayers will not shoulder any additional burden from the deal, which calls for the team to pay the entire cost of construction and to manage the facility, and to keep all profits. The agreement allows the team to build an 80,000-seat stadium in the Meadowlands. The 40-year deal contains options that could extend it to 98 years. The Giants will pay $6.3 million a year to New Jersey in rent and taxes. The state is responsible for as much as $30 million in road work and still will be responsible for $124 million in debt that remains on the existing stadium. Authority chairman Carl Goldberg said the last obstacle to overcome before the stadium can be built is a lease agreement with the team.