The take that keeps on taking: M's want $180 million of taxpayer money for Safeco Field. (Seattle: 2015, school districts)

[wutitiz]

https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/k...-safeco-field/


For those who weren't here in 1995, a vote was held in King County on building a new, tax-funded stadium for the Mariners. Voters rejected it. The state legislature turned around and rammed through funding for the stadium, IIRC a coalition of Democrats and suburban Republicans.


After that the Seahawks demanded and got a separate new stadium. That one was voted on and passed, but by just 51.15%.


Next the Sonics demanded a new stadium, even though KeyArena had just been through a complete gut-and-rebuild in 1995. With the new football and baseball stadiums, the Sonics were losing their corporate lux-box business. But because of wide anti-stadium sentiment, it was never even put to a vote, and so the Sonics left. For a while there, taxpayers were paying off 4 pro-sports stadiums (including the KingDome, which was not paid off until well after it was torn down). And Howard Shultz & co. wanted to add a fifth to the bill.


Now the M's are seeking another $180 million of tax revenue to pay for maintenance of the stadium. So far it appears to have the support of County Exec Dow Constantine and several County Council members.


If you wish to express an opinion on this, contact your County Council member. If you don't know whom he/she is, you can find out and get contact info here.
https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/c..._district.aspx

[thatguy950]

They’ve shown such dedication to winning year after year, it’s the least we can do to keep this city’s most treasured asset happy!

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by thatguy950

They’ve shown such dedication to winning year after year, it’s the least we can do to keep this city’s most treasured asset happy!

Funny how their rare good season always results in asking for something.

[wutitiz]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Funny how their rare good season always results in asking for something.

I was thinking that too. It would be interesting to have some econ types do a study to see if there is a correlation between wins and asks. I remember well that when the Sonics had been mediocre one year, and had no major roster changes. The next year was when the request for a new stadium was floated, and the Sonics promptly went on a winning streak.


Probably just a conspiracy theory, but then there is a lot of money at stake here. They need PR right now, and the best PR for them is lots of W's.

[xPlorer48]

I just do not understand this addiction to pro sports but if it keeps you happy.... Where dies the money come from? Which taxpayers? And, am i correct that pro team owners dont oay income taxes?

[wutitiz]

Originally Posted by xPlorer48

I just do not understand this addiction to pro sports but if it keeps you happy.... Where dies the money come from? Which taxpayers? And, am i correct that pro team owners dont oay income taxes?

See the Seattle Weekly link in post #1. It's all laid out there. I think the income tax question may be a reference to the fact that the NFL used to be a 501(c)(6) (non profit) and therefore was not taxed. As I understand it, this was changed in 2015.
NFL's 'tax breaks' targeted by Trump: A look at the league's tax status today | Fox News

[wutitiz]

https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/k...field-funding/
update: County Council member Jeanne Kohl-Wells has dropped her support for the $180 million subsidy to the Mariners. She now wants most of the money to go to fund homeless programs instead. I've never been too much of a fan of her, but I did contact her to express appreciation over this.


I contacted my county rep, Claudia Balducci, about it. She responded that she thought it was a necessary use of taxpayer money since decision to build the stadium is a done deal.

[BaustinTejas]

I left TX partially to get away from this type of mess. The school districts wanted near pro level stadiums, the pro teams wanted palaces. I don't want to pay for either.

[Hemlock140]

Now that the team sucks again, I doubt that King County will be interested in “playing ball”with them on this proposal. I still think the Mariners were trying to capitalize on their short-lived success.

[CharlesRamon]

Farewell. Sayonara. Adios. Ciao. Auf wiedersehen. Just a sports team. Just a business, which becomes obvious in situations like this. The owners don’t have the same emotional attachment to the team and the city that the fans do. Sad that sports is a business that preys on people’s feelings.