PROVIDENCE, R.I.  — House speaker Nicholas Mattiello has called for a closed-door Democratic caucus to discuss the Pawtucket Red Sox stadium proposal.

Mattiello spokesman Larry Berman says all House Democrats have been invited to Wednesday's meeting.

The new owners of the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox are asking for a deal that would give them about $120 million in state subsidies over 30 years if they build a ballpark in downtown Providence.

Mattiello has hired Smith College economics professor Andrew Zimbalist to evaluate the proposal. Zimbalist is also a consultant for major league baseball's commissioner's office.

He will be paid $225 per hour by the General Assembly to weigh the pros and cons of the proposal.

Some House members have expressed concerns over a publicly funded stadium.