February 13, 2007
Yes, Utah, there is a stadium
Apologies to all - I just realized I neglected to report here on last Thursday's vote of the Utah state house to approve $35 million in state funding for a Real Salt Lake stadium in the suburb of Sandy. Counting the $15 million that the Sandy city government has pledged to kick in, taxpayers will now be spending $50 million toward the $110 million project - $5 million more than the plan Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon rejected two weeks ago as "gambling with taxpayer dollars." And that's assuming there are no unexpected cost overruns, since the final terms of the deal have yet to be agreed on.
The lesson here for sports teams is clear: If at first you don't succeed, just find another level of government to hit up for funds. For the Minnesota Twins, it was going to the county when the state rejected funding; for RSL, the reverse. As always, it's not about how many times you have to go to the well - all a team owner needs is to win one vote, and the steel and concrete stands forever. Or, at least, until the next time you ask for one.
stadium politics in minnesota are crystal clear at all levels: adamantly oppose stadium funding until the final vote- then vote for it.
Posted by ken on February 13, 2007 09:41 AM