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Why are professional sports franchises allowed to shakedown cities for arenas?

Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:08 pm
Posted by The Scofflaw
Metairie, LA
Member since Sep 2014
1905 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:08 pm
I saw in the news today that apparently the Spurs are trying to get the city of SA to fund a new arena for them, wtf. If the taxpayers are partially (or fully?) paying for it, why aren't they considered part owners? Seems the cheese heads had the right idea.
Posted by Weekend Warrior79
Member since Aug 2014
20610 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:08 pm to
Because it keeps working
Posted by usc6158
Member since Feb 2008
38470 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:09 pm to
Because they are held hostage by the team's ability to move to somewhere that will. Especially true of small and midsized cities.
Posted by Ostrich
Alexandria, VA
Member since Nov 2011
10123 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:10 pm to
Because if they don’t the team can find another city that would love to have them
Posted by danilo
Member since Nov 2008
24724 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:11 pm to
Seemed like after the exposure of the Marlins stadium boondoggle we were getting away from taxpayers funded stadiums. Seemed like owners were becoming more like property developers
Posted by redneck
Los Suenos, Costa Rica
Member since Dec 2003
54157 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:14 pm to
quote:

Why are professional sports franchises allowed to shakedown cities for arenas?


Do you really not know the answer to this question? Do you need us to explain it to you like you are 5?
Posted by The Scofflaw
Metairie, LA
Member since Sep 2014
1905 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:15 pm to
Yes.
Posted by saintsfan22
baton rouge
Member since May 2006
78360 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:16 pm to
Other big businesses shakedown the public, why wouldn't sports teams?
Posted by redneck
Los Suenos, Costa Rica
Member since Dec 2003
54157 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:21 pm to
If the city does not help pay for the stadium/arena the team moves elsewhere as there are plenty of cities begging for teams. Original city then loses out on hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue every year. Hope that is simple enough for you.
Posted by Jcorye1
Tom Brady = GoAT
Member since Dec 2007
76373 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:28 pm to
Because the average citizen is a moron.
Posted by Nutriaitch
Montegut
Member since Apr 2008
10500 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:32 pm to
quote:

Spurs are trying to get the city of SA to fund a new arena for them, wtf. If the taxpayers are partially (or fully?) paying for it, why aren't they considered part owners?


the city will own the arena they pay for, but not the team that uses it.
Posted by Draconian Sanctions
Markey's bar
Member since Oct 2008
87782 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:34 pm to
quote:

Seemed like owners were becoming more like property developers


they are 100% property developers first sports team owners second, just look at the Braves.

The result will be a less competitive, more exhibition like environment across all sports. you’re seeing it already.
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 3:37 pm
Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
44053 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:35 pm to
quote:

why aren't they considered part owners?


They would be owners of the building, not owners of who they lease to.
Posted by ragincajun03
Member since Nov 2007
27273 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:37 pm to
Because the politicians cave in.

There's no "allowing" any more than if say...Piggly Wiggly went to Breaux Bridge and said, "If you don't help us build a new store, we're out of here".

Breaux Bridge would laugh at Piggly Wiggly, but state legislators and city councils don't laugh at the Saints, Astros or Bulls when something they say something like that. They fork over taxpayer money.
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 3:39 pm
Posted by chalmetteowl
Chalmette
Member since Jan 2008
53546 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:53 pm to
quote:



The result will be a less competitive, more exhibition like environment across all sports. you’re seeing it already.
more a function of the amount of money in professional sports period…
Posted by Sunnyvale
Member since Feb 2024
2256 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 4:24 pm to
Didnt, the city of KC just tell the owners to Shove it when it came to a new stadium.
Posted by Glorious
Mobile
Member since Aug 2014
26122 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 4:25 pm to
One of the saddest things in sports is when you realize dozens of owners are truly in it to maximize profit and nothing more
Posted by TexasTiger08
Member since Oct 2006
29000 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 4:25 pm to
It sucks. The Spurs current arena opened in 2003. It’s fine. I’ve always said I don’t need bells and whistles to enjoy a game. All of these luxury suites, bars, social media walls, etc will raise the cost of your ticket. The average fan will continue to get priced out.

This proposal by the Spurs is supposedly going to be funded 40% by the organization, but it also includes a renovation to the Alamodome…not sure why. That venue is paid off though and makes money, which is rare these days.
Posted by Glorious
Mobile
Member since Aug 2014
26122 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 4:30 pm to
quote:

Because they are held hostage by the team's ability to move to somewhere that will. Especially true of small and midsized cities.

Also the league let the A’s deliberately tank and spike ticket/concession prices in a plot to ruin fan support and there will be no repercussions for it
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 4:31 pm
Posted by hg
Member since Jun 2009
127551 posts
Posted on 8/21/25 at 4:32 pm to
Didn’t they get a new arena after they left the Alamo Dome? Wtf arenas should last way longer than 20 years now days before a new one is warranted.
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 4:34 pm
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