Ballpark

“Business groups” in Kansas City push local officials to build the Royals a new ballpark…without disclosing the Royals connections to the groups

When the Kansas City Royals tried to garner some support for the sales tax vote last year, they paid a company, Jones Lang LaSalle, a Chicago-based real estate company, to write and release an economic impact report on a potential ballpark. But, it didn't take long for problems to come out of this idea. The Royals paid Jones Lang LaSalle to write this report without caring or realizing that Jones Lang LaSalle had no experience with economic impact reports for ballparks or even sports venues. Even worse, the Royals didn't just pay Jones Lang LaSalle but they also “worked…

Stadium

Carolina Panthers officials swear their economic impact numbers are real, they just can’t prove it

Several weeks ago, the Carolina Panthers were given $650 million by the city of Charlotte to renovate their current NFL stadium. Nevermind that the Panthers owner has a less-than-perfect history of following through on commitments (then refuses to talk about it publicly). Nevermind that he is one of the richest men in the entire world. Maybe one of the worst owners too, but that is for another time. Anyway, since the deal was approved several weeks ago, some city leaders have been getting public pushback on their approval of it. This was the biggest public investment in Charlotte's history.…

Stadium

Albuquerque will try to build a new soccer stadium for the 12th time thanks to support from fake groups

Over the last few years, the New Mexico United owners have really increased how often they push for a new stadium. But when you read old stories of these pushes, it is odd how often AHC is somehow involved in it. The team began play in 2018, but actually started their stadium push in 2020. In that same year, the city of Albuquerque released their yearly “Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy”. This report took input from several local groups. Yes, one of them was a member of the AHC. The report says that the city's plans for boosting tourism that year…

Ballpark

Spartanburg claims new ballpark will be an “explosion of development” yet still gives few financial details

Last week, it was announced that Spartanburg, South Carolina would be getting a minor league baseball team. The ballpark is reportedly part of a $250 million dollar project to develop property in the city's downtown district. According to one city council member, the ballpark will “set off an explosion of development” and bring an “economic boom” to the city.