KC already hospitable to teams

**Bob Dole** · 03-12-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

“Hasta la vista, baby.” That’s what Mike Hendricks (March 6) is afraid the Chiefs will say to Kansas City if voters reject the Jackson County sales tax on the April 4 ballot.

Not so fast. The Chiefs are not likely to leave Kansas City, where they have prospered quite nicely.

Consider these statistics: According to estimates published by Forbes magazine, the Chiefs have averaged $26.3 million in pretax profit for the 1998 through 2004 seasons. In 2005, the Chiefs ranked third among 32 National Football League teams in home-game attendance.

Another boon for the Chiefs is the annual increase beginning in the 2006 season of about $42 million in revenues from new national TV contracts. It is difficult to imagine a business that is in less need of public subsidy than the Chiefs.

Likewise, Kansas City has been good to the Royals. From 1990 through 2005, the Royals’ home-game attendance averaged about 20,500 fans.

Financially, the Royals are challenged by the inequitable revenue-sharing system of Major League Baseball resulting in a player payroll that was about half of the major-league average in 2005. This makes it difficult for the Royals to be competitive in Kansas City or anywhere else.

If the “threat” of the teams leaving is unrealistic, why are Jackson County voters being asked to approve a three-eighths-cent sales tax — which would raise $425 million — to renovate Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums? And why is the Missouri Development Finance Board considering $50 million in tax credits for the stadium improvements?

A $50 million subsidy of professional sports is unsound fiscal policy at a time when 100,000 very low-income Missourians have been cut from the state’s Medicaid health insurance program. Those left without health coverage include working parents, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Missouri’s elementary and secondary schools continue to be underfunded by $791 million, and the state’s universities and colleges have raised tuition an average of 58 percent in the past five years.

Certainly the Chiefs and Royals are tremendous economic and civic assets to Kansas City and our state. Missouri does provide financial support for the teams — $3 million a year for stadium maintenance.

These professional sports teams would be hard pressed to find a more favorable location than the Truman Sports Complex. If stadium renovations are needed, they can and should be funded entirely by the teams. After all, we expect other businesses to invest their own capital to sustain their enterprises.

Missouri taxpayers should not foot the bill and provide further subsidies to professional sports teams. Public dollars should be invested in strengthening Missouri’s basic services, such as health care and education; such investments will enhance economic development as corporations look closely at these services when deciding where to locate.

Pro sports teams bring a lot of excitement to Kansas City. They are and will continue to be good corporate citizens who are committed to the well-being of the community.

However, it is not the responsibility of Jackson County residents to fund profitable businesses.

Voters should reject the sales tax proposal on April 4.

JBucc · 03-12-2006, 08:41 AM

They aren't going anywhere. They might not get their stupid roof but they're staying put.

58-4ever · 03-12-2006, 08:44 AM

why doesn't whoever wrote this article shut the **** up.

Mr. Laz · 03-12-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58-4ever

why doesn't whoever wrote this article shut the **** up.

afraid of a little reality?

**Bob Dole** · 03-12-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

They aren't going anywhere. They might not get their stupid roof but they're staying put.

You sound pretty sure. Here's a snippet from a larger article in the Boston Globe

Quote:

The Chiefs have been in Arrowhead Stadium since 1972 but could be in a refurbished facility with a retractable roof by 2010 if Jackson County voters approve a $777 million overhaul of the stadium April 4, paid for by a three-eighths of a cent sales tax. If it passes it would raise $575 million and the Chiefs and Royals would extend their leases for 25 years. If not, the Chiefs would be free to move as early as 2007. Citizens believe aging owner Lamar Hunt would never abandon Kansas City and they're right, but his son, Clark, is fed up and would be in Los Angeles by nightfall if the vote goes against the Chiefs because he believes the team needs to expand its local revenues with a new stadium, and fast. The NFL has already promised the city the 2015 Super Bowl as a bribe (sorry, incentive) if the vote goes the right way . . .

ChiefsFanatic · 03-12-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

They aren't going anywhere. They might not get their stupid roof but they're staying put.

said residents of Baltimore, St. Louis, Cleveland. People that think the way you do are clueless. How arrogant can you be.

The great, storied fans of Baltimore thought that way. So did the venerable fans of the Browns. What happened to those teams?

**Bowser** · 03-12-2006, 11:03 AM

Clark would be stupid to move the Chiefs to L.A. That city has no interest in the NFL, as evidenced by two, TWO franchises moving the same year. Oh, the NFL wants to have a team there for the TV revenues, but the city just seemingly couldn't care less.

**Dunit35** · 03-12-2006, 08:50 AM

Clark doesn't take shit from anybody. He hates CP as well doesnt he?

I would be so pissed off if the tax increase does not pass.

03-12-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunit35

Clark doesn't take shit from anybody. He hates CP as well doesnt he?

Yes, Clark hates CP so much that his first official business as Chairman was to extend CP's contract.

**Dunit35** · 03-12-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Yes, Clark hates CP so much that his first official business as Chairman was to extend CP's contract.

Wow for what four more years? I'm sure it was all 100% Clark on that decision too.

stevieray · 03-12-2006, 09:23 AM

I heard a rumor they'll end up in San Antonio.

**Bob Dole** · 03-12-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

I heard a rumor they'll end up in San Antonio.

Is Priest's dad going to be the new GM?

**BigRedChief** · 03-12-2006, 09:02 AM

Mike Hendricks and Kietzman/810 are the only ones opposing this.

It's got my vote. Get your facts here. Not this BS filled piece in the first post

http://www.saveourstadiums.com/main.html

**Bob Dole** · 03-12-2006, 09:04 AM

To steal a quote out of context from someone else, communities get a chance to do this kind of thing right only once every generation.

Bob Dole certainly hopes the residents affected by this get it right.

BigChiefFan · 03-12-2006, 09:05 AM

Pay up,and they'll stay. Have fun in L.A, Clarkie.

03-12-2006, 08:41 AM	#2
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	They aren't going anywhere. They might not get their stupid roof but they're staying put.
Posts: 12,016

03-12-2006, 08:44 AM	#3
58-4ever The Collective Unconscious Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The OP Casino cash: $9520422	why doesn't whoever wrote this article shut the **** up.
Posts: 10,425

03-12-2006, 11:03 AM	#7
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3221616	Clark would be stupid to move the Chiefs to L.A. That city has no interest in the NFL, as evidenced by two, TWO franchises moving the same year. Oh, the NFL wants to have a team there for the TV revenues, but the city just seemingly couldn't care less.
Posts: 101,023

03-12-2006, 08:50 AM	#8
Dunit35 Keepin it Real Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oklahoma Casino cash: $1287045	Clark doesn't take shit from anybody. He hates CP as well doesnt he? I would be so pissed off if the tax increase does not pass.
Posts: 10,490

03-12-2006, 09:23 AM	#11
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2335273	I heard a rumor they'll end up in San Antonio.
Posts: 71,349

03-12-2006, 09:02 AM	#13
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $2889627 VARSITY	Mike Hendricks and Kietzman/810 are the only ones opposing this. It's got my vote. Get your facts here. Not this BS filled piece in the first post http://www.saveourstadiums.com/main.html __________________ Time is worth more than money.
Posts: 79,207

03-12-2006, 09:04 AM	#14
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2324497	To steal a quote out of context from someone else, communities get a chance to do this kind of thing right only once every generation. Bob Dole certainly hopes the residents affected by this get it right.
Posts: 48,654

03-12-2006, 09:05 AM	#15
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	Pay up,and they'll stay. Have fun in L.A, Clarkie. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777