Funkhouser Wants To End City Funding For Chiefs, Royals Stadiums

[dirk digler]

More Proof how big of an idiot he is

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2010/2...city#storyjump

Kansas City mayor Mark Funkhouser, once the subject of an interview in this space, has said he wants to halt city funding for the Truman Sports Complex -- better known as the home for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.

In the past, the city has provided up to $2 million for the stadiums.
"We have no choice but to now eliminate what is a non-contractual agreement to directly fund the Truman Sports Complex stadiums," Funkhouser said.

Michael Mahoney of KMBC 9 reports, "Funkhouser said the county needs to figure out a long-term solution because 'Kansas City's general fund is not the place to find that money in these tough economic times.'"

Funkhouser cited the more than 200 folks that have been laid off around the city as evidence of the economic times hitting Kansas City.

A few notes on this and why this is not a good idea from the Funkhouser camp:


First, not paying that money could result in essentially breaking the lease with the Chiefs, according to a March statement from County Executive Mike Sanders.

"The teams would then be, to use the sports phrase, free agents to do whatever they wanted to do. Re-negotiate the deal or to not honor any of the provisions of the lease they did not want to honor," Sanders said at the time.

Second, this could essentially let Johnson County off the hook for paying anything at the stadium.

Third, he doesn't appear to have much support on this. Mike Smith of the Jackson County Sports Authority also commented back in March on how Funkhouser's plan to eliminate the money would, in the long run, cost the city money.

"These stadiums are an economic engine not only for Jackson County, but for Kansas City as well, creating thousands of jobs and generating millions in direct and in-direct state and local taxes," Smith said in a news release. "To curtail the funding by the city, which is used to pay the bonds approved by the voters in 2006, would be to ignore the commitment made by the mayor and council at the time. The county pays the lion's share of the bonds. The city pays a very small part and receives the lion's share of the benefit by having its name on the teams. Note that the teams are not called the Jackson County Royals or the Jackson County Chiefs."

Bottomline? Ending the city funding could result in a violation of the lease with the Chiefs and Royals -- and this is according to many accounts, including that of County Executive Mike Sanders -- which would leave open the possibility of either team freely ending their agreement with the city.

[Royal Fanatic]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

His wife looks like Vince Lombardi.

Not Lombardi when he was in his prime, but a lot like he looks today.

[Tango&Cash]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

that money could go toward schools

That wouldnt do anything, KC schooling system is a joke.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Royal Fanatic

Are you serious? Cities always line up to get teams to leave their old cities and come to the new ones. Once a team leaves, there is no guarantee that there will ever be a team in that city again. Just ask the football fans in Los Angeles.

Funkhouser is a ****ing idiot. We were better off when he was distracted by his constant fighting with the city council because he couldn't bear to go to work without momma at his side.

And how many articles a year are made about the teams leaving? It's not going to happen. I'm glad Kansas Citians are more worried about the sports teams opposed to the side streets not being plowed because the city can't afford it.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by billay

And how many articles a year are made about the teams leaving? It's not going to happen. I'm glad Kansas Citians are more worried about the sports teams opposed to the side streets not being plowed because the city can't afford it.

Funkhouser was the one that came up with that stupid idea. He seriously is a joke of mammoth proportions.

[googlegoogle]

Fans should always fund sports, 'not' city governments.

Then all these stupid demands for new stadiums every few years would end.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Funkhouser was the one that came up with that stupid idea. He seriously is a joke of mammoth proportions.

I'm not a fan of Funkhouser but Kansas City's problems are more than just Funkhouser.

[wild1]

No, sports teams shouldn't get city funds.

However, there's always another city that would be more than happy to build a new stadium and give them a subsidy to bring the NFL into town.

It's a continuing cost to keep the team. You're always competing against the alternatives.

The city gets way more money in tax revenue than they pay in subsidy, anyway.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by billay

I'm not a fan of Funkhouser but Kansas City's problems are more than just Funkhouser.

He has just made the problems much bigger.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by wild1

It's a continuing cost to keep the team. You're always competing against the alternatives.

The city gets way more money in tax revenue than they pay in subsidy, anyway.

Exactly. How can he not realize that the Chiefs bring in a shit ton of money to the city? That is so so so shortsighted. And billay, you need to shut the **** up, you reeruned monkey.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by billay

I'm not a fan of Funkhouser but Kansas City's problems are more than just Funkhouser.

No doubt the economy hasn't helped but he still is an idiot.

What he doesn't get is the voters passed the tax so they could keep the Chiefs and Royals and the city would have to make a minimum contribution each year.

[KCSupersized]

Maybe he can pay back the city the money spent to fight lawsuits that arose because his wife!

[ChiefsCountry]

How come you KC folks havent voted that clown out yet? He is pretty much reeruned.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Royal Fanatic]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

How come you KC folks havent voted that clown out yet? He is pretty much reeruned.
Posted via Mobile Device

There was a recall petition last year, but it barely fell short on the number of signatures needed. That was a pity, because Funkhouser is a jackass.

[POND_OF_RED]

Wonderful idea. I mean Arrowhead and Kauffman don't bring in any sort of revenue for this city.

[KCbroncoHATER]

Mayor Funkhouser saved this city from the developers. You want to bitch about someone go look up that old broad that gave away millions in tax revenue to them.

As for him holding back the money from the Chiefs, good for him. Let them figure how pay to "up keep" the stadium. There is no fear of them moving anywhere for the next 20 years. Hell Clark just build new offices for staff, why would he leave and lost all that money? Which was way more than 2 million.