Top 5: ‘We’re shooting ourselves in the foot’

This week, the Maryland Lottery Agency released revenue figures from the state’s two slots casinos, the chief of staff for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake resigned and BWI announced it could soon fly you to Cuba. Those stories and more in this week’s business top 5.

1. Under Armour inks apparel deal with Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur – by Ben Mook

Shares of Under Armour Inc. hit a 52-week high at one point in trading Tuesday after the sporting apparel company announced its first partnership with a Barclays Premier League team.

Under Armour said Tuesday it had entered into a sponsorship deal with the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Starting in the 2012-2013 season, the Baltimore-based apparel company will provide Tottenham Hotspur with training wear and playing kits along with replica gear for fans.

2. Baltimore mayor’s chief of staff Dagenais resigns – by Melody Simmons

Sophie Dagenais, chief of staff for Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, resigned Monday morning, effective March 21.

Dagenais joined the Rawlings-Blake administration in February 2010 after the mayor stepped into office following the resignation of Sheila Dixon. Dixon was convicted of embezzlement in Baltimore City Circuit Court and resigned last February as part of a plea agreement with the Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office.

3. Perryville casino takes in $9M in February, best month since October – by Rachel Bernstein

Hollywood Casino Perryville‘s revenue went up in February to $9 million, its highest total since October.

The state’s two casinos reported they made $12 million in February, according to figures released Monday by the Maryland Lottery Agency. Hollywood Casino Perryville’s revenue for the month was $1.3 million higher than January. This is the second straight month that revenue has increased at the state’s first casino.

4. Report: Red tape cost Maryland $19.5 billion – by Ben Mook

Red tape and not-in-my-backyard activism were called out Thursday as major impediments to six stalled and troubled energy projects in Maryland that could have had a $19.5 billion economic impact on the state if they had moved forward.

The findings were part of a report released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called “Project Denied” that looked at the economic impact of stalled energy projects nationwide.

5. BWI Airport wins approval for Cuba air service – by Nicholas Sohr

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has been cleared to offer passenger air service to Cuba, the airport said Tuesday.

The federal approval comes as part of the president’s effort to ease restrictions on travel to the communist island nation for academic, religious, humanitarian and news-gathering organizations. Trips will be limited to charter flights.