Zoffinger said that there have been no talks with Feldman, a venture capitalist, about a prospective arena deal.

After last year's mayoral election, the proposed arena deal ran into stiff opposition in the State Legislature.

Delta, which is in bankruptcy, did not renew its arena deal, which expired Sept. 30.

Officials from the teams met with Mr. Eisenberg two hours before the governor announced the arena deal.

Many of the city's black ministers switched sides in the arena deal and urged their parishioners to oppose it.

In his final word on the arena deal yesterday, Mr. James played the stoic, steady legislator.

But he said his rash view of the Rangers' riches is unconnected to his arena deal.

The assault on the arena deal also reeks of payback.

In the end, the Legends could not seal the arena deal and folded entirely sometime in the fall of 2007.

They backed out of another arena deal in spring 2012.