To anyone still all excited about yesterday’s revelation that the lead elected official of Maricopa County told the Arizona Diamondbacks owners to take their subsidy demands and shove them, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is here to let the world know that some Arizona politicians are still going to stand up for truth, justice, and the American way of offering whatever it takes to the local sports team owner if they please, please won’t even consider moving out of town:
Stanton said a letter to county officials from team president Derrick Hall, revealed Monday by The Arizona Republic, was a surprise and should not lead fans to believe Phoenix has lost interest in a compromise that does not cost taxpayer money…
“Any impression that was left that the City of Phoenix wasn’t interested in keeping the Diamondbacks in downtown Phoenix for the long haul is inaccurate,” Stanton said. “I’m willing to roll up my sleeves and get to work to keep the Diamondbacks.”…
Stanton said he reached out to the team Monday to offer assistance: “We stand ready now and into the future to facilitate a long-term solution to this situation if we can be helpful.”
That bit about “does not cost taxpayer money” sounds somewhat promising, though somewhat less promising when you consider that Stanton has previously said that building a new arena with tax money doesn’t count as tax money if it’s tax money that the city is already collecting. Mostly, it looks like Stanton was just reacting to D-Backs president Derrick Hall’s letter saying that the team would proceed on the assumption that neither the county nor city wanted to renegotiate the team’s stadium lease, with the mayor saying, “No, no, we’ll talk! Don’t listen to that crazy guy in county government!” Which totally undermines any attempts by the county to hold a hard line, yes, but in America that’s what we call statesmanship.
Right on cue, up pops Hizzoner to reassure his boys that, yes, there is a big pot of money you can slurp from. We just gotta find it.
I’m sure even the mayor knows that the Diamondbacks have no interest whatsoever in anything that “does not cost taxpayer money.”
I wonder two things: When is Mr. Stanton up for re-election, and do the voters of Phoenix know he’s about to sell them down the river…again?
The corruption is so naked and obvious, even if you just have a casual “think” about it.
It was cool being born in Rome. I just wish it wasn’t 350 a.d.
More government (taxpayer) help for those billionaire, smaller government pushing sports owners.
The Dback owners are all in with Koch brothers and their libertarian dystopia, but when it comes to corporate welfare, well, you know.