College World Series of Omaha Inc. signed a tentative deal on Tuesday to host the CWS for an additional 25 years.

At a news conference, the CWS Inc's Jack Diesing announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that extends the contract until the year 2035. The current contract runs through 2010.

"We are real pleased to be able to announce that we have signed the MOU with the NCAA and I'm also real pleased to announce that we've signed the MOU for 25 years, not 20 years," said Diesing.

It's the longest championship contract signed by the NCAA. "The NCAA has never signed a contract like this,” said Mayor Fahey. "I think that the city of Omaha has certainly demonstrated that they are up to the task not only of filling the seats, but certainly construct this facility."

The facility will be built on parking lots C and E at the Qwest Center. "I'm not a very superstitious person, particularly when it comes to numbers, but I must say that I think my new favorite number is 25," said Mayor Fahey.

What else does this agreement include? Omaha must build a 24,000 seat stadium at a maximum price of $127.5 million, ready by the 2011 series. A stadium design advisory committee will be created as well as a capital repair and replacement fund and a reserve fund for stadium expenses.

The first year of the downtown stadium is expected to generate $16 million in revenue, mostly through tickets and taxes, keno, rental cars and hotel rooms. Out of the $16 million, each year Omaha will use $6.5 million to pay towards the stadium debt, give the NCAA $6 million and the rest will go for expenses. If there's money left over, most of it will go to the NCAA.

"I think that the way that the College World Series Inc. and the city of Omaha went about it to assure the taxpayers of Omaha are protected first, that the expenses are covered and the ongoing improvements that are needed somewhere down the line will be also taken care of in a priority that is best suited to make sure that we have the funds available to not only pay the debt, but also the future as well," said the mayor.

MECA and the NCAA will handle the naming rights, suites and club seats.

It's a deal that's even made the new stadium more attractive to those once against it, like Omaha City Councilman Jim Suttle. "I applaud the mayor for being able to put this together. It seemed like there were days of doom and gloom and so forth, but the message right now is that we as a city need to come together on this plan."

Some things for the new stadium must go before the City Council for approval, like the financing. Suttle says that should happen before June 10th and that right now he would predict a 6-1 vote in favor of it.

That's right around the time the mayor hopes the final contract with the NCAA will be signed.

Once the CWS moves to the new downtown stadium, Rosenblatt will be demolished. What happens to the Rosenblatt land?

"Get your limited edition program," said a vendor. As fans prepared for Omaha Royals baseball Tuesday night, Rosenblatt Stadium itself is a limited edition these days. "It will be really strange, kind of sad,” said Bill Schmidt.

Three more College World Series before it comes down. Then what? “There's somebody that's a very big supporter of the zoo who won't use their name right now who is writing a check,” said Andy Galbraith.

As part of the downtown stadium plan, a check worth $12 million from a private donor will pay off the Rosenblatt Stadium debt. Many believe the zoo already has a plan for the 43 acres. "I'm thinking it's gonna be something next door,” said Cathy Hibbeler. “I'm not thinking it's gonna be a water park."

The stadium could be replaced by pandas. “I don't know about pandas, but there will be something," said Galbraith.

"There will some sort of monkey cage there," said Jerry Hibbeler.

"An aquarium or something," said Levi Schmidt.