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[Seattle Times] 15 years after moving Sonics, now it’s the Thunder asking for publicly funded arena
(www.seattletimes.com)
this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2023
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I will never understand why public funds should pay for >50% of the funds for a privately owned sports clubs arena
I'll never understand why people don't understand why this happens. It's so absurdly simple:
People can debate the positive/negative economics of it all day long, but it's really neither here nor there. Bringing in a pro sports team to your city is a politically super popular move, and politicians only care about whatever helps them win their next election.
People who wine about the economics don't understand the leverage and owner group has. Just cause it's the right thing to do, it doesn't mean it's the smart thing to do.
I don't understand why people who put getting/keeping a sports team above all other considerations think everyone else should be forced to help their favorite billionaire pay for it.
Just democracy in a nutshell. Majority wins and way more voters want a team badly than those who don’t.
Because the billionaire usually has other options.
If the choice is tax giveaways for more corporate suites or watching the team leave...then don't let the door hit you on the way out. Even better if all the billionaire groupies follow them to the next scam.
But that’s the extreme minority view. Most citizens don’t care - that’s why this happens endlessly and people get all pissed off when they lose a team.
What do you think business and events do? Same thing.
OKC used to have the National Finals Rodeo. Vegas said we will do better facilities and more prize money. Bolted in 10 minutes never to return.