Jay Cross of The New York Jets

The political football that is the New York Sports and Convention Center is inching its way toward its goal line as approvals continue to stack up despite defensive measures by the opposition. In a recent chat with Real Estate Media editorial director Michael Desiato, New York Jets president L. Jay Cross spelled out his game plan and his view of the varied arguments by stadium nay sayers–most visibly Cablevision head honcho Jim Dolan and most recently New York City comptroller William Thompson. Reportedly, Thompson labeled the entire West Side development “a backdoor financing scheme that is not only fiscally imprudent, it also flouts the principles of responsible government.” Cross mounted his defense at Real Estate Media’s recent RealShare New York Conference.

GlobeSt.com: Some opponents have questioned the financing of the stadium, labeling it a fiscal nightmare. How do you respond?

Cross: You’re not putting public money into a stadium, you’re putting public money into infrastructure. There’s a hole over there. It’s been a rail yard for more than 100 years, and it is an impediment to the city’s development. That’s the essence of the public money use. For years we’ve said we would pay for an open-air stadium if we can get a site in New York City. The West Side projects—the expansion of the Javits Center and the Number Seven subway as well as the New York Sports and Convention Center–are not mutually dependent on each other. They are not one big $5-billion financing scheme, as people like to characterize it. They are their own entity. We are our own entity. In terms of funding, $300 million comes from the state, $300 million from the city and $800 million or whatever it takes to complete the project will come from the Jets.

GlobeSt.com: How is the deal being structured?