u 3 hr IMAQT v I have mixed feelings here If the taxpayers support it, then why not? If they do not support it, then don't force it on them. It really is that simple. Post
u 8 hr HMB1114 v No The amount of money in sports is obscene. Franchises can build stadiums with their own funds. Post
Mon Ddegnernm v I have mixed feelings here from a federal level absolutely not. From a state level maybe and then if any taxes are to be subsidize it should be from the local community. Post
May 17 Bob72370 v No When teachers, firefighters, cops, nurses all make the salaries that professional athletes make, sure. Until then the owners and athletes should stop the huge salaries and profits that they receive. Let the players and owners subsidize their own stadiums. Post
u 3 hr IMAQT v I have mixed feelings here If the taxpayers support it, then why not? If they do not support it, then don't force it on them. It really is that simple. Post
u 8 hr HMB1114 v No The amount of money in sports is obscene. Franchises can build stadiums with their own funds. Post
Mon Ddegnernm v I have mixed feelings here from a federal level absolutely not. From a state level maybe and then if any taxes are to be subsidize it should be from the local community. Post
May 17 Bob72370 v No When teachers, firefighters, cops, nurses all make the salaries that professional athletes make, sure. Until then the owners and athletes should stop the huge salaries and profits that they receive. Let the players and owners subsidize their own stadiums. Post
May 8 jeffreyknee v Yes Far better than more for the wealthy medical industry ($1.2 trillion per year, compared to oil industry $4 billion). Post
u May 8 jond414 v No What's the difference between a sports team or walmart bending a local government over the barrel for tax abatements? Its wrong either way, but at least with the stadium the jobs are a little better than the ones at the walmart. The problem is, too many governments will pimp their citizens by making them pick up the tab that should be paid by the billionaire. Post
May 5 AndrewMC v Yes But only if it is a local initiative, paid for by a special mil levy or something similar. It must be agreed to by the taxpayers. Post
u May 3 fraps v No All tax dollars should be used to provide me with anything I choose to want. I want a personal 747, a Rolls Royce, a number of mansions, etc. If the government chooses to give me those things then it is ok for them to give the millionaire sports team owners tax breaks and subsidies for their stadiums, After all, fair is fair. B1 Post
u May 2 gherlone v I have mixed feelings here there are times when public money directed at a sports facility can be a good investment & create jobs. Nationals Park seems to have revitalized the area around it and drawn in businesses. that said, those opportunities are few and far between, and should be evaluated very carefully and debated very publicly. too many of these deals are just political deals that benefit the team owner and a few pols, but not the public. Post
May 1 Bill2E v No Get Government out of all this, what interest does the government have in all this. This should be totally free enterprise and tax the hell out of the stadiums for usage. Post
u May 1 4PeteSake v No Of course not.....but it is not usually the "stadium" that is being subsidized....it is the ultra-rich families or big corporations that own the teams that are going to play there! Post
May 1 Russell797 v I have mixed feelings here The owners should be responsible for the stadiums, while the community helps with the surrounding, supporting infrastructure. That's the way Bob Kraft worked it out in Massachusetts for Gillette Stadium (Foxboro). The state takes a part of the parking revenue in return. Post
Apr 30 Denizen_Kate v No Isn't that like asking the poor to buy new digs for the wealthy? Let them build their own stadiums. They all have corporate names these days anyway. Post
Apr 30 Firestorm v Yes This is rehashing others to an extent, saying revenues outweigh initial cost. Basically, everyone needs to look at this one as an investment. Investing our money to increase revenues means we don't have to as taxpayers. Good thing, right? I'd like to see hard numbers, but I'm pretty sure there has not been an issue with a professional stadium not paying back. Post
Mar '13 GeorgiaSean7 v No No. I am sick of the government bank-rolling private business and enterprise. Let ticket-master, or the Atlanta Braves, or the New York Mets build their own stadiums. Those venues are not the responsibility of the tax payer. Post
Feb '13 TheJimmy v No Professional sports franchises make more than enough money to build their own luxury homes. B1 e46 endorsed Post
Feb '13 Quantummist v No Doesn't even need a comment... Sports shouldn't even be subsidized in High School.. B1 e21 endorsed Post
Feb '13 MarkJM v No Absolutely NOT. Between the owners and corporate sponsors, they have enough money to establish a new stadium. B2 e8 endorsed Post
Feb '13 AnObserver v No This is one reason why we're broke...Government needs to be scaled back and quit trying to be a sugar daddy to everyone. B1 e7 endorsed Post
Feb '13 Hoosierdaddy v Yes Easy, revenue earned far exceeds tax investment. This is responsible spending r7 replies e4 endorsed Post
u Feb '13 Litdes v I have mixed feelings here For the most part, I don't think there is any reason for the state to provide assistance for a lucrative for profit venture, particularly when teams frequently hold municipalities hostage to obtain better venues. However, if the state were to hold a perpetual stake in the profits of the venture, then perhaps subsidies would make more sense. e2 endorsed Post
u Feb '13 ErnestPayne v No Absolutely not. Cities need infrastructure not circuses. If you want it you pay for it. e2 endorsed Post
Feb '13 RedFloppyShoes v No The free market system should sustain itself by building their own stadiums. A franchise's determining factor for a home should be based on local tax breaks and how much money te owner can make on the venue beyond sporting events. If sports wants to survive, as should any business, they need to build a business plan of autonomy and one that is devoid of expectations of government subsidies. B1 e1 endorsed Post