Years later, Columbus taxpayers continue to be used and abused by the Blue Jackets
Just last year, the FCCFA spent $13.1 million in taxpayer money on arena projects such as a roof replacement, a cooling tower installation, a fire alarm system replacement and more. Yet if we come back to today, the FCCFA executive directory admits that recently released plans are “still being worked out” in negotiations that have involved the “team, its private partners and city, Franklin County and state officials”...just not the public. When asked by WOSU about the finances of these…
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The Anaheim Angels must keep their ballpark in “first class” condition. Why can’t cities & counties use the Angels definition of first-class?
The Anaheim Angels need to be held to the same standard as sports teams holding their cities when the government handles the facility. However, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to see some local leaders appearing to give the team ways out of their lease agreement. Others suggest the ballpark is, in fact, a first-class ballpark right now. One City Councilman told a local media outlet that the lease agreement to him seemed “vague” and that he believes the team has “met its…
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Isn’t it great when sports owners announce upgrades to their arena while contributing little to nothing themselves?
In Utah, the Smith Entertainment Group owns the local NBA and NHL teams. In order for this group to get almost a billion dollars from taxpayers to pay for upgrades to the current arena, the Group pledged to pay $3B dollars of their own money on upgrading the arena and renovations outside the venue. Only problem? Nobody knows any details about this pledge to pay $3B dollars. Can he walk away from this? Is it in writing? Is it just something he may not want to do in a few years? Who knows?
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Why are taxpayers giving the Chamber of Commerce a blank check?
Let's say your local sports team wants a new stadium and is trying to get public opinion on their side. Or one of your local city leaders wants to get the public ready for taxpayer money being used on a new sports venue. One of their first calls will be to their local Chamber of Commerce ("CoC").
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Chicago has $700M left in debt payments for Solider Field, Hotel Tax revenues falter
Last week, Crain’s Chicago Business had a good article discussing the financial issues that the city is facing with the current Bears stadium. Even though the Bears are trying to scam another city into paying for a new stadium, their current one continues to cost the city of Chicago millions of dollars. Basically, the city […]
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Milwaukee Brewers continue ballpark upgrades push, not moving very fast
In the last few months, the Milwaukee Brewers have been begging city/state leaders to give them money for ballpark upgrades. The Governor of Wisconsin proposed giving the Brewers almost $300 million in public money in exchange for an additional 13 years being added to the lease. This proposal really means that taxpayers will pay closer to $450 million in renovations over the next 20 years. Several Brewers executives did a PR tour and tried to tell everyone that the Brewers “want nothing more…
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If the Tennessee Titans & Nashville have agreed on a new stadium, why are there so many financial questions left unresolved?
When we look at the construction costs that are spelled out in the agreement between Nashville and the Titans, we see the state of Tennessee giving $500 million. Since Nashville's residents are 10% of the state population, can't we then say that $50 million is, in fact, a direct cost to city taxpayers?
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