Category: Arena

Arena Ballpark Stadium

Chattanooga’s ballpark costs continue to rise, supporters still claim the ballpark will pay for itself

In Chattanooga, the price of their new ballpark continues to skyrocket. If you remember, two years ago, the city was facing fierce opposition from locals who didn't want to give any taxpayer money towards a new ballpark. But the city decided that this new ballpark would be a “home run for the community” and approved the deal.  This meant the city would be putting up roughly $80 million dollars for the project.

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

Philadelphia CEO has numerous “facts” showing how good a new Philadelphia 76ers arena will be for local residents. Then provides nothing whatsoever.

Like most parts of this proposal, local anger about public transportation comes from the lack of answers by the Philadelphia 76ers. The team initially stated that their transportation plans for the new arena would involve no new parking additions due to “existing lots and garages (being) sufficient”. How on earth could the 76ers think this? Well, they released an estimate that the new arena would bring in 3,700 cars per game, which is quite low.…

William Neilson Jr.
Arena Ballpark Stadium

Cleveland is consistently paying for arena, ballpark & stadium upgrades. Now, they are approving projects without knowing how or even if they can afford it.

The city of Cleveland is going to pay for upgrades to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the non-profit corporation who decides whether to approve these projects, Gateway Economic Development Corporation, also has no idea how, where or even if they can pay for it. Which does seem to be a slight problem?

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

Philadelphia 76ers pinky swear they will prioritize minorities even more

The idea that this Philadelphia 76ers deal can be looked at as privately funded is crazy. Nobody can say whether this project is actually privately funded until all the details of the project are released by the team. We don't know who is paying for the land where the new arena would sit. Furthermore, the 76ers still intend to demand a “tax increment financing deal” that would cut their property tax rates and allow them…

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

Are the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards relocating to Arlington? No

Weeks ago, MSE met with DC leaders to discuss expensive improvements that the team wants to be done to the arena. MSE apparently went into this meeting with the hope that “the city (would) help pay for (the project) as an investment in a major economic driver in the struggling downtown”. Normally, the city is obligated legally to give the sports team whatever it wants for renovations or upgrades (see the Bengals as the king…

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

Charlotte continues to hand over public money to whatever sports team needs it. Next up, the Hornets!

Last week, Michael Jordan decided to cash out as majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. The new owners will have an upgraded arena thanks to the city council, last week, voting to spend $215 million dollars in taxpayer money for Spectrum Center upgrades. For these upgrades, the team extended its lease until 2045. Included in this deal is not just arena upgrades. The new agreement includes plans to build a $60 million dollar practice facility.

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

Sacramento Kings arena is losing money. MLS keeps turning down city expansion efforts. Mayor thinks more sports teams would help

Did we mention that San Diego, the city who did win the expansion team, paid a $500 million expansion fee? That is three times what their proposed stadium was supposed to cost. Yikes. The mayor also seems to enjoy telling the public how much he is doing behind the scenes. He can't just tell us because...he can't. He told the Sacramento Bee that when it comes to whether Sacramento will get an MLS team, the…

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

The Sacramento Kings arena has revenue questions both for today and in the future

Sacramento's debt manager recently announced that at the end of 2024, a city assessment will need to be done to figure out how the city will pay off the arena's bond debt. The city may be forced to dip into their general fund to pay off the bonds that are due. Similar to what the city had to do in 2021-2022 when arena revenues were again down to a point where the revenues did not…

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

Philadelphia 76ers Lobbying Firm “forgot” to disclose who bankrolls them

Last summer, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that they were going to try to build a brand-new $1.3 billion dollar arena in the Chinatown district of Philadelphia. This comes after the city spent roughly $250 million on the arena in 2018. Even though the team continues to publicly assert that the arena will be “privately funded”, nobody has seen a contract which proves it. Two years ago, the 76ers owners claimed that they would “privately fund”…

William Neilson Jr.
Arena

NHL continues to poke Raleigh for even more taxpayer money

Why exactly is the city of Raleigh even entertaining the team if they want more money in the near future? The team pays $0 per year in rent yet collects 100% of revenue from “concessions, gameday advertising, television rights, parking and luxury and club suites”. Moreover, keep in mind that the team already gets $4.335 million per year to “offset arena operating expenses”. Doesn't the city do that anyway?

William Neilson Jr.