The conservancy is now trying to persuade the city to share concession revenue with it, as the city does with its zoos.

This legislation lifted the cap on calculating transit advertising and concession revenue as "local match" funds to qualify for federal funding.

"The question is could a small town finance a new airport based solely on concession revenues," Mr. Cabett said.

The funds would be tied to the conservancy's fund-raising success and increases in concession revenues.

The deal calls for the conservancy to keep 50 percent of any concession revenues above the current level, up to a maximum of $2 million a year.

The Stampede earned 85 percent of concession revenues and all revenue from parking.

The rent would increase 3% each year, with the team retaining concession revenues and the city keeping parking revenues, among other provisions.

State officials say they are willing to talk about giving the Whalers some concession revenue.

"We have historically seen the concession revenue go up 3, 4, 5 percent a year from inflation," he said.

In just the last three years, concession revenue has jumped to $36 million from $20 million.