Full Version: Sports and the City
As you all probably know, San Diego is hosting the Super Bowl this weekend. For me personally, it means avoiding a particular freeway 
.....
But, this morning there is a headline in the S.D. Union Tribune stating that the NFL has informed the city that unless there is a new stadium, the Super Bowl won't come again. Last time it was here, they demanded (and got) 20 million dollars worth of improvements.
The Padres (baseball) have demanded a new baseball only stadium as the price for their continued presence. This new stadium is in the process of being built as I type. Now the Chargers want a new separate stadium. To construct the new stadium for baseball, many very pressing civic projects (such as a badly needed - it was built in 1956 - new central library) have been put on hold. The city has also just spent 100 million dollars to construct a new trolley line to the old stadium.
Many cities have been told - "build us a new stadium or else!" We are told that these sports activities add a great deal to the city's coffers, however, the city still never seems to have enough money to cover truly basic services. They are always threatening to cut police/fire and other human services.
Where does all that income that the city says it gets from sports go?
Is it truly a worthwhile expenditure for public monies to fund private entities such as major sports organizations?
By the way, I am a true baseball fan.....
(If you have already discussed this, well, I searched and couldn't find it. But then my record of finding things with the search mechanism isn't very good - LOL)
.....But, this morning there is a headline in the S.D. Union Tribune stating that the NFL has informed the city that unless there is a new stadium, the Super Bowl won't come again. Last time it was here, they demanded (and got) 20 million dollars worth of improvements.
The Padres (baseball) have demanded a new baseball only stadium as the price for their continued presence. This new stadium is in the process of being built as I type. Now the Chargers want a new separate stadium. To construct the new stadium for baseball, many very pressing civic projects (such as a badly needed - it was built in 1956 - new central library) have been put on hold. The city has also just spent 100 million dollars to construct a new trolley line to the old stadium.
Many cities have been told - "build us a new stadium or else!" We are told that these sports activities add a great deal to the city's coffers, however, the city still never seems to have enough money to cover truly basic services. They are always threatening to cut police/fire and other human services.
Where does all that income that the city says it gets from sports go?
Is it truly a worthwhile expenditure for public monies to fund private entities such as major sports organizations?
By the way, I am a true baseball fan.....
(If you have already discussed this, well, I searched and couldn't find it. But then my record of finding things with the search mechanism isn't very good - LOL)
Yes, this emphasis on pro sports is indicative of our culture's decline. Or maybe it is indicative of how money leverages public policy. Or maybe it is indicative of how brainwashing through advertising takes place. In any case, you never hear a peep from the people dead set against public funds for art, libraries, and schools regarding the massive amount of public funds that go into pro sports.
But then, I do catch the SB each year just for the commercials and half-time show. Haven't watched one football game all the way through this season. Too busy.
Baseball? They still play that?
But then, I do catch the SB each year just for the commercials and half-time show. Haven't watched one football game all the way through this season. Too busy.
Baseball? They still play that?
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