Using public money for pro sports stadiums really ticks me off

[Anonymous]

First, the Miami Marlins used 1/2 billion of public money to build their stadium. Yet, this is a high unemployment/foreclosure area with school issues. WTF is that all about? And then the citizens of Minnesota vote against using public funds for a new Viking stadium, Roger Goddell flies out there (a real political power broker if ever there was one), and the legislature allocates money for it anyway.

So public money is being used to make billionaire owners and their millionaire players even wealthier. We, the public, are idiots because we never do anything about this. If 100,000 people were in the street, this would not happen. It is been proven over and over that the economic benefits of new stadiums are way overrated.

[Anonymous]

But the intangibles are so good.

[Anonymous]

The reasoning is that a sports team brings business and jobs to the city. I think the cost/benefit of the stadium deals is worthy of discussion, but it isn't just spending for billionaires. They have teams, those teams are valuable, and they can move them.

[Anonymous]

Do you think it is part of building a sense of community and keeping the idea of hope and dreams alive? And I guess that is important since the economy is keep aloft by hope and outlook on economic possibilities.

[Anonymous]

Government funding for sports stadiums is a thing of the past. Public money for area improvements (roads, parking, transit) helps an entire area, and that will continue. Look at the mci center - no public money for the facility, but the transit and street upgrades have paid huge dividends in spurring redevelopment of the area.

Or a case where public financing of a stadim worked - nationals park. Business tax revenue, so no personal tax dollars...would ayone argue it wasnt successful in helping development move forward more quickly?

[Anonymous]

Let's all remember that George W Bush was a major beneficiary of this, as an owner of the Texas Rangers.

OP, I could not agree more with you. It's an embarrassing commentary on 2012 America, when major league sports are so important to so many, and qualify as such a high level of entertainment. "Our team," "We played so well..." As though a win or loss will affect Average Joe's life in any meaningful way.

(And with that said, how 'bout those Nationals!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reasoning is that a sports team brings business and jobs to the city. I think the cost/benefit of the stadium deals is worthy of discussion, but it isn't just spending for billionaires. They have teams, those teams are valuable, and they can move them.

Actually there are economists who would argue with that. That's what's so bizarre about this stuff is that apparently there are credible experts who think this is not a net benefit to cities and yet cities continue to foot the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reasoning is that a sports team brings business and jobs to the city. I think the cost/benefit of the stadium deals is worthy of discussion, but it isn't just spending for billionaires. They have teams, those teams are valuable, and they can move them.

Actually there are economists who would argue with that. That's what's so bizarre about this stuff is that apparently there are credible experts who think this is not a net benefit to cities and yet cities continue to foot the bill.

That's because the leaders of many cities are just as sophomoric as the general citizenry, when it comes to sports teams. They believe the stats they want to believe.

[Anonymous]

Minnesota is my home state and I agree this is asinine. He's no longer governor, but Timmy wouldn't agree to settle the bus strike yet they have money to build a stadium that will Pretty much benefit Zygi Wilf? Insanity. And I notice a lot of the loudest supporters are the biggest mouth free marketers, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's all remember that George W Bush was a major beneficiary of this, as an owner of the Texas Rangers.

OP, I could not agree more with you. It's an embarrassing commentary on 2012 America, when major league sports are so important to so many, and qualify as such a high level of entertainment. "Our team," "We played so well..." As though a win or loss will affect Average Joe's life in any meaningful way.

(And with that said, how 'bout those Nationals!)

We are the idiots because we put up with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's all remember that George W Bush was a major beneficiary of this, as an owner of the Texas Rangers.

OP, I could not agree more with you. It's an embarrassing commentary on 2012 America, when major league sports are so important to so many, and qualify as such a high level of entertainment. "Our team," "We played so well..." As though a win or loss will affect Average Joe's life in any meaningful way.

(And with that said, how 'bout those Nationals!)

The Nationals? Bah. Wait until you see the bill for the new Redskins Stadium that the government is going to build for Dan Snyder on the RFK site. Let's start with a guess of $2 billion for the structure and associated infrastructure upgrades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's all remember that George W Bush was a major beneficiary of this, as an owner of the Texas Rangers.

OP, I could not agree more with you. It's an embarrassing commentary on 2012 America, when major league sports are so important to so many, and qualify as such a high level of entertainment. "Our team," "We played so well..." As though a win or loss will affect Average Joe's life in any meaningful way.

(And with that said, how 'bout those Nationals!)

The Nationals? Bah. Wait until you see the bill for the new Redskins Stadium that the government is going to build for Dan Snyder on the RFK site. Let's start with a guess of $2 billion for the structure and associated infrastructure upgrades.

Yes, but it will bring so many economic benefits - think of the beer vendors and souvenir stand workers that will be there eight days/year. Snyder is laughing his ass off knowing nobody will ever care enough to raise a serious protest.