The Florida Marlins Stadium. I wrote about budget cuts, service cuts, and homeowners issues in
This is a good example of how your (and my) money is spent.
Not that I am an opponent to everything that would promote our tourism, and the vision that Miami and South Florida inspires around the world; however a friendly city with well run libraries, numerous cultural activities, good movie theaters, convenient public transportation, pedestrian walking areas, nice small stores, good beaches and parks, could be a greater attraction to our visitors, than exhibiting a World Series trophy in a publicly financed stadium.
My idea is that since owning a professional sports team is a business, and if owners cannot come up with the money to build their own facility, it’s OK for the city to finance it or bear part of the cost.
But since the moment the stadium is built, the franchise will automatically double or triple in value, the city should in turn receive part of this capital gain. If the franchise owners are confident in their operation, as they want the city to believe, why not offer the city a part of this extra value.
What about making the city of
Just nonsense, of course.
It is much easier to have the city or the county get in some more debt, pay for the stadium, and in case of problems, they always have the recourse of cutting seniors transportation, social services to the handicapped or disadvantaged, reduce library hours, and I leave the rest to your imagination.
This is the text of the relevant article I read today in the Sun-Sentinel.
Florida Marlins to proceed with plans for new stadium after court victory
September 10, 2008 - By Sarah Talalay - The Sun Sentinel.
The Florida Marlins say they will proceed with plans for a $515 million ballpark at the site of the former Orange Bowl after a
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen called the ballpark issue "contentious and emotional," but said the law is clear in the case filed by auto dealer Norman Braman targeting the financing of $3 billion in
The Marlins,
"We will proceed immediately to finalize discussions with the County and the City to put in place all the long-awaited final agreements," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said in a statement. Braman vowed to fight on.
"We're optimistic we're going to prevail on appeal," Braman said. "We're going to take it to the district court and if necessary to the Supreme Court of the State of
Cohen plans to rule on the case's remaining count — whether a public vote is needed on a portion of the funding of the $3 billion in projects — after Sept. 15. She is waiting for the state Supreme Court to rule in similar cases.
5 comments:
I haven't been keeping up with the Marlins stadium saga...but if what I'm reading here is the latest, I am really upset.
The Marlins need to somehow improve attendance for 3-5 consecutive years before a new baseball stadium is warranted.
I am a big sports fan and have been to multiple sporting venues around the country. I have had Dolphins season tickets for 2 separate years in the past and been to a bunch of Marlins games over the years.
...And my point. The Florida Marlins baseball team and business organization do not deserve a new stadium. Locals are fooling themselves if they think a new facility will increase attendance or suddenly spark interest.
New stadium = bad idea.
That's an interesting comment, from a fan's point of view.
It implies that, if they improve their attendance, we should consider paying for their stadium; is that so? Now, if I am not a baseball fan, why should I pay to make the Marlins's owner much richer? Because, as you know, every time the fan objects on anything, their response is: this is a business like any other one.
And it is a business.
Next thing, we should maybe give some money to the corporations that produce movies in Hollywood, because movies also entertain us.
They always tell us that the Marlins will enhance Miami's image and more entertainment venues mean more business activity and tourism in the area.
I don't suscribe to that. But I accept that other tax payers could agree to pay extra-taxes to help the Marlins.
But the real point is that Dade County's government has done and is doing all they can to avoid a public votation on the issue.
Why?
Because they know that they will lose and that a large majority is against public financing for this stadium.
They have chosen to just stick it to us in a very, very sneaky way.
Don't you agree?
But this is business as usual in Miami, for what I know.
I wish it could go to a vote and get denied.
As for the attendance spin I was trying to add to the post... Yes, I definitely think it matters. If the Marlins business...baseball team...however we agree to look at it...can draw 35,000 plus fans 80+ nights a year to the local area, local businesses are certain to benefit. Possibly extreme examples, but look at Wrigley Field , Petco Park, or Fenway Park. The surrounding businesses without a doubt benefit from how many fans frequent their facilities. I'm not saying they don't get other business from non-sports fans, but if these were empty parking lots or just warehouses, there is little potential.
In summary, I don't think that professional sports team stadiums should be publicly funded. And if for some reason this is out of our control as citizens, I support it only if the team is expected to regularly fill 50-75% of the seats. I guess what I really want to say is that if you are going to make me pay for something, let's make sure a lot of people will benefit.
And sneaky. Yes.
I must be missing something. Why they don't give away this kind of gift to corporations who bring jobs to Miami? I mean $ 800 million? How many jobs you should create to deserve this kind of gift?
If the Marlins can't afford a stadium, they shouldn't be in this business. For what I know, as a corporation, the Marlins are making a lot of money. And their value as a corporation will increase exponentially when they get the stadium.
Will they share this with the city of Miami?
In my opinion, if they need a lot of money to build it, I could accept public assistance as a loan, guaranteed by the franchise itself. Or, if they don't want to pay it back, then we could negotiate as usual in business. We give them their stadium, but we want a proportional share in their franchise. Fair enough?
Not for the city of Miami, apparently.
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