Seminoles play ball with Yankees

Seminoles strike up a deal with N.Y. Yankees for chain of steakhousesThe Seminole Tribe of Florida and the New York Yankees are teaming up on a chain of high-end steakhouses, the first expected to open next spring at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The Seminoles will also build a 7,000-square-foot Hard Rock Restaurant in the stadium, executives from the tribe and the team said Wednesday.

It may seem like the oddest New York pairing since Liza Minnelli and David Gest, but it underscores the increasing clout and world recognition of the Hollywood-based tribe. In 2006, the Seminoles used their casino fortune to purchase the Hard Rock Hotel and Restaurant chain for $965 million, and they have since expanded its global footprint.

"This is just a tremendous endorsement of the [Seminole Hard Rock] brand to have the most famous sports franchise in the world choose us to be a partner," said Jim Allen, the president and CEO of Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment. He said the Seminoles plan to open at least 25 steakhouses, called NYY Steak, at Hard Rock Hotels, including those under construction in Panama, Dubai, Macao, Palm Springs and Atlanta.Comment:  I wonder if the Seminoles will say anything when the Cleveland Indians and Chief Wahoo come to town. Probably not, since that would be bad for business.

For more on the subject, see Team Names and Mascots.