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Thanks to unexpectedly strong tax revenue from a hotel tax, King County (Seattle) will finally pay off the cost of building the KingDome pro sports stadium in 2015. Construction started in 1972, 43 years ago. The KingDome design was based on the eggshell, one of nature's strongest shapes. The architect said that it would last 1000 years. It was demolished 25 years after it opened, because the pro sports owners wanted new tax-funded venues that could generate more revenue, especially from corporate luxury box clients.
Since 1995 we have built three more tax-funded pro sports stadiums, and there is an ongoing effort to build another new NBA stadium since the Sonics left town, 13 years after their new digs were deemed inadequate.
If more sporting events took place, more taxes would be collected, plus income tax from tens of thousands (visiting teams pay income tax on prorated portions of income), and that might help fund programs for the mentally ill. These stadiums are built with loans, but the revenue gained funds current operating budgets.
Nashville lost many tax paying restaurants downtown during the last NHL strike. Last year, it gained tens of thousands of hotel room nights just from the NCAA Women's Final 4 BB tourney.
If more sporting events took place, more taxes would be collected, plus income tax from tens of thousands (visiting teams pay income tax on prorated portions of income), and that might help fund programs for the mentally ill. These stadiums are built with loans, but the revenue gained funds current operating budgets.
Nashville lost many tax paying restaurants downtown during the last NHL strike. Last year, it gained tens of thousands of hotel room nights just form the NCAA Women's Final 4 BB tourney.
So stadiums wouldnt exist without forcing the taxpayers to fund them?
So stadiums wouldnt exist without forcing the taxpayers to fund them?
What would take the big hit is the owners and players. No more multi dollar contracts.
Unfortunately without a concerted effort throughout country this trend will continue. As long as there is one city out there willing to entice a major sports franchise with a new stadium it's not going to end.
Some other city will build them, taking the jobs and tax revenue generated.
This is my question to you: would stadiums exist without forcing taxpayers to build them?
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecoalman
What would take the big hit is the owners and players. No more multi dollar contracts.
Unfortunately without a concerted effort throughout country this trend will continue. As long as there is one city out there willing to entice a major sports franchise with a new stadium it's not going to end.
Well first off you cant prove that.
Secondly, how are player/owner salaries the responsibilty of the taxpayer?
I am sure Seahawks fans cared about this when they were cheering on their team this past season. The Kingdome was falling apart, I wonder what Seahawks fans would have been doing last season had they not built a new stadium and their team moved away. While I don't think taxpayers should foot the bill to build stadiums, it doesn't change the fact that cities and states love their sports and will do just about anything to keep their teams, including building new stadiums.
Speaking of which, how are those Seattle Supersonics doing this year because the Portland Trailblazers are having a heck of a year?
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