Opinion ID: 787711
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Commons

Text: 15 Although UCC concedes that the Commons — an assortment of plazas, grassy areas, and interior streets within the Complex — are not traditional public fora, it argues that they have been designated as public fora by Gateway. The government (or in this case, Gateway, who we assume, for purposes of this question, stands in the government's shoes) may designate a place or channel of communication for use by the public at large for assembly and speech, for use by certain speakers, or for the discussion of certain subjects. Cornelius v. NAACP Legal Defense & Educ. Fund, 473 U.S. 788, 802, 105 S.Ct. 3439, 87 L.Ed.2d 567 (1985). 16 UCC's argument turns on one fact: that although it generally prohibits access to the Commons during gametime, Gateway has allowed as many as one hundred unticketed fans at a time to congregate along Eagle Avenue, behind the stadium bleachers. This, along with the fact that fans on their way to and from the games routinely carry signs and banners supportive of the Cleveland Indians across the common areas and even into the stadium without interference from Gateway personnel, indicates to UCC that Gateway has opened up the Commons to the gamut of public expression. The record reveals, however, that to the extent that Gateway has allowed non-ticketholders to access the Commons during gametime, it has done so only for those interested in the actual game being played, and has done so for the specific purpose of contributing to the gametime ambience. 17 First, the handful of non-ticketed Indians fans who are allowed access to the Commons are so allowed because they have an interest in the Indians' performance on the field. Second, although the Indians have sometimes allowed radio stations to use the plaza area to broadcast high-profile games, this again directly furthers fan enjoyment of the game itself. UCC, in marked contrast, does not seek access to the Commons for purpose of fan enjoyment. Rather, it wishes to make a political statement that is merely incidental to the game itself. That Gateway has allowed baseball fans access to the Commons falls far short of suggesting that it has allowed everyone access to the Commons. 18 Thus, we agree with the district court that the Commons are not designated public fora. Moreover, UCC did not challenge the district court's conclusion that if they are nonpublic fora, the restrictions on their use are reasonable. Accordingly, even if Gateway were treated as a state actor for purposes of the Commons, the restrictions on their usage would satisfy the First Amendment.