Sports stadiums and public funding

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I just read the Broncos are exploring sites for a new stadium. Wtf? Seems fine to me.

Now that the team is now owned by the Waltons I’m hopeful there won’t be public financing, but I’m not hopeful.

Public funding of billionaires’ sports stadiums is by far the worst use of taxpayer money I can think of.

What say you?

 

[millah_22]

I just read the Broncos are exploring sites for a new stadium. Wtf? Seems fine to me.

Now that the team is now owned by the Waltons I’m hopeful there won’t be public financing, but I’m not hopeful.

Public funding of billionaires’ sports stadiums is by far the worst use of taxpayer money I can think of.

What say you?

I'm fine with it if it's in the form of some kind of bond the team pays back with interest. Not really sure how often that truly happens.

Otherwise, not a fan of straight subsidy.

 

[Doodads and Hoohah]

Bengals owner also made a comment about moving? Isn't their stadium less than 20 years old?

 

[millah_22]

Also, Mile High is only 24 years old. Why rebuild already?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Bengals owner also made a comment about moving? Isn't their stadium less than 20 years old?

Bengals’ stadium 2000, Denver 2001

Ridiculous and wasteful

 

[Greenway4Prez]

The “shelf life” of these stadiums has gotten to be ri-goddamn-diculous.

 

[LunchBox50]

Bengals’ stadium 2000, Denver 2001

Ridiculous and wasteful

Cleveland is also pushing for a new building and their current place opened in 1999.

 

[DPUboiler]

At this point in time it seems almost irresponsible to not build a domed stadium. Still cannot believe Buffalo did not. But the impact of SuperBowls and F4's is so great.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

Waste stacked on top of waste....

 

[millah_22]

The “shelf life” of these stadiums has gotten to be ri-goddamn-diculous.

Its all about keeping up with the jones.

What was state of the art in 2001 is definitely not state of the art in 2025.

 

[funksouljon]

The “shelf life” of these stadiums has gotten to be ri-goddamn-diculous.

The Roman Colosseum would like to give you a thumbs up.

Hell, even the LA Memorial Coliseum agrees.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

I don't disagree with OP, but the problem is many cities are willing to cover the cost, which lures teams away.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Its all about keeping up with the jones.

What was state of the art in 2001 is definitely not state of the art in 2025.

I say to the owners, it’s good enough. Or pay for it yourself.

Why the f should I spend a dime to help the Walton family build new digs?

 

[tumorboy]

one of the biggest scams on tax payers there is.

 

[funksouljon]

one of the biggest scams on tax payers there is.

That and the local tax breaks for Walmart to move in and inevitably displace small, local businesses. Make them compete on an level field, have prices reflect the cost of setting up a new location.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

That’s the gig. Don’t like it don’t do it.

With a domed stadium and a good lease the city can take it a lot of rewards from events all year round.

Vikings stadiums has hosted countless concerts, college baseball games, X games and other events that fill up hotels and it ends up being an asset to a city.

A new stadium without a roof is a waste.

 

[beanerhawk]

The problem is a home NFL game generates millions of dollars for the city every Sunday in hotel rooms, eating out, travel, etc.., and NFL owners know this. So they leverage that against the city to get them to help pay the bill or threaten to move. The issue is if the team breaks their contract with the city then they end up having to pay the difference. The Rams had to pay St Louis a few hundred million by moving to Los Angeles.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

I just read the Broncos are exploring sites for a new stadium. Wtf? Seems fine to me.

Now that the team is now owned by the Waltons I’m hopeful there won’t be public financing, but I’m not hopeful.

Public funding of billionaires’ sports stadiums is by far the worst use of taxpayer money I can think of.

What say you?

And public funding of millionaire athletes is also a horrible use of taxpayer money.

 

[tumorboy]

That and the local tax breaks for Walmart to move in and inevitably displace small, local businesses. Make them compete on a level field, have prices reflect the cost of setting up a new location.

Love the property tax breaks. Then when they expire. Build a new store just a bit outside of town.

 

[tumorboy]

And public funding of millionaire athletes is also a horrible use of taxpayer money.

Ownership pays salaries.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

Ownership pays salaries.

Money is fungible.

 

[tumorboy]

Money is fungible.

Yes, it is but the players provide a service. Ownership is the middleman. The salaries of the players come from the revenue generated by the team. Even with the brand new shiny stadium. If the player sucks he gets cut and sent to unemployment. It ownership sucks see Da Bears they still keep getting more money.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

Yes, it is but the players provide a service. Ownership is the middleman. The salaries of the players come from the revenue generated by the team. Even with the brand new shiny stadium. If the player sucks he gets cut and sent to unemployment. It ownership sucks see Da Bears they still keep getting more money.

And the ownership doesn't provide a service?

Without an enjoyable game day experience, lower revenue results in lower salaries.

Come on tumor, this isn't hard. If taxpayers hand over money to the owner, allowing him to build a new stadium, the end result is that the owner has more money to pay players.

 

[scruffyhawk]

At this point in time it seems almost irresponsible to not build a domed stadium. Still cannot believe Buffalo did not. But the impact of SuperBowls and F4's is so great.

Snow load...not sure how much multiple feet of lake effect snow weighs, but a lot is my assumption.

 

[runkpanole]

Cleveland is also pushing for a new building and their current place opened in 1999.

Cleveland should focus on fielding a competitive team first.

 

[funksouljon]

Cleveland should focus on fielding a competitive team first.

woah woah woah, I have it on good authority that you cannot compete without the right facilities......

 

[CarolinaHawkeye]

It's been one of my long time biggest gripes.

 

[tumorboy]

And the ownership doesn't provide a service?

Without an enjoyable game day experience, lower revenue results in lower salaries.

Come on tumor, this isn't hard. If taxpayers hand over money to the owner, allowing him to build a new stadium, the end result is that the owner has more money to pay players.

You’d think but often they don’t . See Pittsburgh, Miami, Baltimore until recently , and Colorado. Baseball and Sports in general is a unique business.
Ownership rarely has to worry about performance affecting the bottom line. U can continually tank and thanks to the prestige of owning a franchise have its value go up tremendously. Which the owner can borrow against. It’s a great business. If a player tried to intentionally suck they’d be sent packing quickly .

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

The issue is if the team breaks their contract with the city then they end up having to pay the difference. The Rams had to pay St Louis a few hundred million by moving to Los Angeles.

And it wasn’t enough.

F Kroenke and Goodell.

 

[GOHOX69]

Highly paid jocks and exploitative billionaires need the best!

 

[TC Nole OX]

I don't disagree with OP, but the problem is many cities are willing to cover the cost, which lures teams away.

Like I continually say to the Devil Rays, pack your stuff and leave.

 

[The Tradition]

When I first heard that the Jacksonville Jaguars were thinking about relocating to Orlando for the team’s 2027 season when their stadium is being renovated, I thought: Cool.

The team desperately needs a place to play. We happen to have one. So if the Jags’ billionaire owner wants to rent our stadium for a season, that sounds like a potential win-win.

But then we learned last week that the Jags aren’t asking to rent Camping World Stadium. They want Orange County to pay the team to play there — at least $10 million.

Jacksonville Jaguars could get $10M from Orange County to play in Orlando in ’27

Yes, the Jags’ billionaire owner, Shad Khan, wants taxpayers to pay him to solve his problem.

“Welcome to the special brand of stupid that is municipal sports negotiations.”

Those are the words of Neil deMause, the author of “Field of Schemes,” a book and website that studies and exposes the way pro sports teams and their wealthy owners fleece American taxpayers.

Think about it: In what other world would a business owner waltz into a town and say: I need space to run my business. I’d like you to provide it for me — and pay me for the privilege?

All that said — and it pains me to say this almost as much as it will please Mike Bianchi — this is probably one of the best, bad sports deals Central Florida taxpayers have been offered in a while.

Read more:

Maxwell: The Jags need a stadium, want tax dollars to play in Orlando

When I first heard that the Jacksonville Jaguars were thinking about relocating to Orlando for the team’s 2027 season when their stadium is being renovated, I thought: Cool. The team desperately needs a place to play. We happen to have one. So if the Jags’ billionaire owner wants to rent our...

sports.yahoo.com

 

[The Tradition]

Like I continually say to the Devil Rays, pack your stuff and leave.

They would need the approval of the MLB to do that.

 

[TC Nole OX]

They would need the approval of the MLB to do that.

Free money elsewhere....hurry up and ask. Then GTFO

 

[The Tradition]

Free money elsewhere....hurry up and ask. Then GTFO

Meanwhile, St. Pete is going to repair the tarp over The Trop because they're contractually required to do so, even though the entire structure is going to be bulldozed.

So stupid.

St. Pete city council votes to approve funding for new Tropicana Field roof

The council voted 7-1 to approve $22.5 million in funding to repair the stadium’s torn-off roof. Councilman Richie Floyd was the lone no vote.

baynews9.com

 

[Hawky42]

and the A's needed a new stadium, but couldn't get it.

 

[who r u]

Think about it: In what other world would a business owner waltz into a town and say: I need space to run my business. I’d like you to provide it for me — and pay me for the privilege?

entertainment

 

[The Tradition]

entertainment

I am entertained by that gif....

 

[Breastman]

Not sure if you guys follow the Oklahoma City Thunder but the team is getting a new, $900 million, publicly funded arena in 2028. The same crew that built Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is putting it together so it should be very impressive.

My dad and I went to the game a few nights ago and we were looking at the current arena - built in 2002 - that will be torn down in a few years. Just seems like such a waste. The older arena from 1972 - located right across the street - is currently being razed for the new arena location.

Having said that, the Thunder have completely transformed the city. Maybe not quite as nice as Des Moines but still a major league city. But.....still 49th in education and in the Top Ten for crappy streets.

 

[SolarHawk]

Love being a Packer fan. The team and city respect each other and Lambeau is a special place. If you haven’t been, I encourage you to see your team play there the next opportunity you get. Nothing like it.