I used to live in Cincinnati, Ohio when the Bengals and the Reds both said that they needed to have their own stadiums and that they both needed new ones, not the one that they both had been sharing for years.
The original owner of the Miami Dlphins, Joe Robbie put every asset save his wife’s home up as collateral plus agreed to put all revenue generated from the skyboxes to pay off the mortage.
In Oklahoma City a new basketball arena will be built with almost no investment from the Thunder management. It’s what happens when a team threatens to move elsewhere.
The people who own these teams, with the possible exception of the Green Bay Packers, are wealthy people who could easily afford to build their own stadium. I suspect the economic impact of these teams and this investment is less than claimed.
Chicago is now facing 2 teams, the baseball White Sox and football Bears wanting new stadiums. The city is trying to accomodate both but there are significant financial roadblocks as the city and the state of Illinois have financial obligations for housing, medical care, mental health, education, etc. which are required by law and both are short on funds. It doesn’t help that the Bears want to control revenues from all events which be held at the proposed new stadium.
Maybe teams should be owned by the cities and supported by businesses surrounding them. Leagues would form around cities. Players would be local and represent their cities. Just a dream. Would be more interesting.
What Is It that excites the human need for violence? Two, three, four … twenty two huge bodies smashing against one or the others. One throwing a “pig’s bladder” to another; and, then running like Hell has just been shown to them. This screed could continue ad finitum; and, I’ve already spent too much time and energy - for nothing. Afterthought: “_Let’s return to Roman times using your favorite politicians as performers.”_ Admission would be, free.
One interesting thing about building stadiums. The ownership group of the Kansas City Current, a women’s professional soccer team in the NWSL, privately financed the $117 million cost to build CPKC stadium on the riverfront in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. They sold the naming rights to Canadian Pacific Railroad to recoup some costs.It’s relatively small with a capacity of 11,500, but this ownership group decided to privately finance the stadium themselves instead of asking local taxpayers to foot the bill. No reason other sports franchises can’t do the same.With as much money as MLB, the NFL, NBA and NHL have, they should be a major contributor in financing new stadiums and should willingly help finance new arenas and stadiums when necessary. There is no good reason local taxpayers should have to bear the majority of the building costs.
Even as far back as the days of the Roman Republic, it was known to be a “good thing” to keep the “plebians” fed and entertained with “bread and circuses”, and in the thousands of years since, this HAS NOT CHANGED…
The “venues” have changed, somewhat, but the “idea” has remained the same – as long as you kept the “public” fed and entertained, they let you rule over them.
Incidentally, the republicans have completely given up on the “feeding” aspect, recently, and left that completely to the democrats – so we’ll see how that works out for them…
Sanspareil 7 months ago
No, they just display their greed, it’s the people who ingest their BS and say yes are the ones who have lost their minds!
David_the_CAD 7 months ago
I used to live in Cincinnati, Ohio when the Bengals and the Reds both said that they needed to have their own stadiums and that they both needed new ones, not the one that they both had been sharing for years.
braindead Premium Member 7 months ago
They don’t ask the voters, Carmen, they ask/bribe the politicians.
Look at what St. Louis did with the Rams.
Radish... 7 months ago
The people will vote it down, the right wing money grubbers will confiscate tax dollars and build it anyway.
jmworacle 7 months ago
The original owner of the Miami Dlphins, Joe Robbie put every asset save his wife’s home up as collateral plus agreed to put all revenue generated from the skyboxes to pay off the mortage.
Dangerguy 7 months ago
In Oklahoma City a new basketball arena will be built with almost no investment from the Thunder management. It’s what happens when a team threatens to move elsewhere.
The people who own these teams, with the possible exception of the Green Bay Packers, are wealthy people who could easily afford to build their own stadium. I suspect the economic impact of these teams and this investment is less than claimed.
mourdac Premium Member 7 months ago
Chicago is now facing 2 teams, the baseball White Sox and football Bears wanting new stadiums. The city is trying to accomodate both but there are significant financial roadblocks as the city and the state of Illinois have financial obligations for housing, medical care, mental health, education, etc. which are required by law and both are short on funds. It doesn’t help that the Bears want to control revenues from all events which be held at the proposed new stadium.
Carl Premium Member 7 months ago
Just look at the money poured into state institutions to function as farm teams for the pro teams.
Darsan54 Premium Member 7 months ago
Instead of investing in new roads, improved schools, water/sewer options, etc.
ctolson 7 months ago
Well what do you expect! It’s the billionaire team owner that contribute to those crazy politicians. Insanity contributes to insanity.
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member 7 months ago
And people wonder why I take such a dim view of sports, when they’re just “harmless fun.”
jconnors3954 7 months ago
And the voters if this is approved.
emery3093 Premium Member 7 months ago
Maybe teams should be owned by the cities and supported by businesses surrounding them. Leagues would form around cities. Players would be local and represent their cities. Just a dream. Would be more interesting.
Holden Awn 7 months ago
On a related but tangential note: I’ve always failed to see why grown people are often paid Millions of $ to play a game.
" Kat" Premium Member 7 months ago
What Is It that excites the human need for violence? Two, three, four … twenty two huge bodies smashing against one or the others. One throwing a “pig’s bladder” to another; and, then running like Hell has just been shown to them. This screed could continue ad finitum; and, I’ve already spent too much time and energy - for nothing. Afterthought: “_Let’s return to Roman times using your favorite politicians as performers.”_ Admission would be, free.
William Robbins Premium Member 7 months ago
Is this really that important a story arc? Wake me when it’s over.
sandflea 7 months ago
One interesting thing about building stadiums. The ownership group of the Kansas City Current, a women’s professional soccer team in the NWSL, privately financed the $117 million cost to build CPKC stadium on the riverfront in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. They sold the naming rights to Canadian Pacific Railroad to recoup some costs.It’s relatively small with a capacity of 11,500, but this ownership group decided to privately finance the stadium themselves instead of asking local taxpayers to foot the bill. No reason other sports franchises can’t do the same.With as much money as MLB, the NFL, NBA and NHL have, they should be a major contributor in financing new stadiums and should willingly help finance new arenas and stadiums when necessary. There is no good reason local taxpayers should have to bear the majority of the building costs.
wellis1947 Premium Member 7 months ago
Even as far back as the days of the Roman Republic, it was known to be a “good thing” to keep the “plebians” fed and entertained with “bread and circuses”, and in the thousands of years since, this HAS NOT CHANGED…
The “venues” have changed, somewhat, but the “idea” has remained the same – as long as you kept the “public” fed and entertained, they let you rule over them.
Incidentally, the republicans have completely given up on the “feeding” aspect, recently, and left that completely to the democrats – so we’ll see how that works out for them…