Originally Posted by TripletDaddy
I think you are correct, and perhaps this is where SU has some dirt to stand on. In general, the government financing will be better than private...also, with private financing, there is often the hassle of giving up a piece of ownership equity in whatever venture is being financed. Personally, I have no idea what the specific terms would be for one of these stadium deals, but to your question, my guess is that going through the gov is going to be more favorable than going through private VC in almost every instance.
Another issue wherein it is beneficial to go through the gov....some of these stadia require eminent domain (see Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine....whoops, sorry poor hispanic farmers). Also, I would imagine that permitting and construction is greatly expedited when the local gov is helping to finance the land.
That being said, the local government has a vested interest in the long run to provide the better financing....local jobs, revitalized neighborhoods, tax revenues from locals and visitors, civic pride, etc...similar to student loans, wherein the government has a vested interested in helping to educate its citizenry (although I am sure those CGers here who are against "socialism" are repaying their government loans at the higher market rate, not the lower, subsidized rate.....)
The Cowboys situation that mikewaters referenced is drastically different from the Lakers or Jazz. Jerry Jones was asking for a massive subsidy, with no obligation for him to repay.
Just my limited perspective. It would be interesting to get 8Ball's take, since he clearly has been following the Seattle issue closely. Also, mikewaters has referenced the Dallas situation a few times, so he could likely provide more color around the terms of the Dallas deal.
I get SU's point, but he is way off base and he knows it. If taxpayers were subsidizing these costs, then owners would not be selling their naming rights to ridiculous companies (Minute Maid Field, Energy Solutions Arena, SafeCo Field, FexEx whatever it is called)...also, they would not be building more and more luxury suites.....ticket prices have gone up every season and are reaching stratospheric levels for NBA games...and several owners have lost money (see the gasol deal as exhibit A).
If he is angry, he should be angry at teams like the Cowboys, not teams like the Lakers.
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