All five cities vying to land the voter-approved stadium were sent letters asking for more detailed financial information, but the Tourism and Sports Authority had particularly harsh words for Mesa and Phoenix. The authority is also considering proposals from Tempe, the West Valley and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

"Your materials are so lacking in substance that they restructure our process to that (where) the TSA becomes the proposer and you become the requester," the letter to Mesa read, which was signed by Ted Ferris, the newly hired authority director. Mesa seems to be asking the authority to assume the "lion's share" of risk for its proposed site at the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Loop 202 on the Mesa-Tempe line.

Cities submitted proposals a little more than a week ago to the authority, but now the group that will choose where to place the stadium wants more financial and other information from each of the contenders. All the site proposals have "challenges," says Authority chairman Jim Grogan. Each group has until 3 p.m. Saturday to submit their answers.

The TSA also had questions about whether downtown Phoenix proponents could deliver the downtown site next to Bank One Ballpark on time and within their proposed budget. The TSA's letter asked how the downtown coalition would pay for cost overruns if the site were not ready for an August groundbreaking.

The TSA asked the West Valley proponents for other commercial development near its proposed site at 99th Avenue and Thomas Road, and how that development would enhance the stadium use.

A request was made of Tempe to clarify its agreement with Papago Park Center, the owner of the land where the city has proposed building the 73,000-seat, domed stadium. The parcel, southeast of Priest Drive and Washington Street, is owned by Salt River Project, which has signed a letter of intent allowing Tempe to lease the land. The authority also had questions about parking and the financing package.

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation was asked about its financing package and whether the tribe would "specifically waive sovereign immunity" for the site.

A decision on where the stadium will be built is expected by mid-February, with a groundbreaking by August.