Reply to Wizards and Caps could be moving to Potomac Yard

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Honestly, none of the things people are raising here as very valid reasons this plan should fail — the costs, the flooding, the traffic, etc. — will wind up mattering. Youngkin and Leonsis want it. It'll go through. I wish it wouldn't, as I'd like to see the teams stay in downtown D.C., but I don't really see the point in hoping against reality.[/quote]

Youngkin doesn't control the Alexandria city council, nor does he have any goodwill with the state assembly.

There are plenty in office who have begun to question the deal and as the facts trickle out, it gets worse and worse for the voters/taxpayers.[/quote]

Lots of bad things for voters and taxpayers happen all the time, though. Especially when stadium deals are involved. Again, I would love to be proven wrong, but as a D.C. resident (and therefore someone with no ability to influence the decision at all), I am not going to bother to hope this one turns into a surprise.[/quote]

The taxpayers are likely already being pushed into a having to cough up a minimum of $2 billion in taxes (and likely much more) to pay for building the stadium and whatever other ongoing subsidies.  They should have some say in that.  Beyond that, what else do they get, and using realistic numbers?  So local restaurants and businesses might get more visitors?  I don't think that alone makes up for it.  Did local business opportunity in SW DC suddenly skyrocket and the community become flush with money when Audi Field opened?  Not exactly. And, it also brought a huge amount of traffic congestion (like complete standstill, 40 minutes to travel a single block, god forbid someone has a heart attack because an ambulance will never make it there in time) and other issues during the more popular events.  Who exactly pays?  Just Alexandria?  Does Youngkin chip in state funds and everyone in VA pays?  Is there a bond issue?  And why are we subsidizing billionaires anyhow?  If these sports teams are making enough money to pay their players millions, why are we having to pay for a stadium for them to play in?

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/washington-capitals/yearly/cap/ 
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/washington-wizards/yearly/cap/

https://www.forbes.com/nhl-valuations/list/#tab:overall
https://www.forbes.com/lists/nba-valuations/?sh=3cf3254f6982

Why are they crying poverty and demanding subsidies at all?

Taxpayers are being punked on all of this.  NBA and NHL are massive multi-billion dollar industries.  We shouldn't be subsidizing them.[/quote]

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