KC Star: Hunt answers cynics on stadium funding (Murphy)

[FloridaChief]

Hunt answers cynics on stadium funding

By KEVIN MURPHY The Kansas City Star

Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt said Thursday that passing a sales tax to upgrade Arrowhead Stadium would require answering critics who think the team should pay for the work.

Voters in the Kansas City area will be asked Nov. 2 to approve a quarter-cent sales tax to pay for $180 million in construction at Arrowhead Stadium, with a similar amount for Kauffman Stadium. Arts projects also would be funded.

The Chiefs had a profit of $24 million last year and have a value of $709 million, according to a Forbes magazine report this month.

“I know there is a cynicism that says, ‘Oh, if the Chiefs are making money, why should we help?' ” Hunt said in an appearance Thursday before the Kansas City Rotary Club at the Arrowhead Club. “The fact is, this is a public facility. The Chiefs only play 10 games a year here.”

Arrowhead and Kauffman are owned by Jackson County. Hunt alluded to other events scheduled at Arrowhead this fall, such as Wizards soccer games, the Billy Graham crusade and the Big 12 Conference championship football game.

Hunt, who said he planned to take an active role in trying to pass the tax, urged Rotary members to explain to skeptics that Arrowhead's value goes beyond housing the Chiefs.

The tax would pay for new concession areas, restaurants, enlarged concourses, more rest rooms, utility upgrades, and a training and administrative building. The Chiefs would contribute $50 million.

Arrowhead opened in the early 1970s. “While this is a magnificent home and has been for 32 years, I think you can appreciate that a house needs refurbishing after 32 years,” Hunt said.

Hunt said the team was not about to move if the tax measure failed. The team has 12 years left on its lease.

In addition to the Chiefs profitability and value, ticket prices may also be an issue with people, Hunt said in an interview Wednesday. The team's average ticket price of $67.26 ranks third in the National Football League, according to a survey released last week in Team Marketing Report, a Chicago research publication.

Hunt said: “We need to step back and think about the Chiefs coming to the middle of the range in ticket price.'' Hunt said he wrote a memo to that effect this week to Carl Peterson, Chiefs general manager.

The sales tax measure would raise more than $1 billion over at least 12 years. Voters in Jackson, Clay and Johnson counties would have to approve the tax for it to take effect, but it also will be on ballots in Wyandotte and Platte counties.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I seriously doubt that the Chiefs are going to lower the price of tickets.

You never know

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

You never know

They are saying it now to see the masses go out and get the issue passed, then they'll be able to waffle and justify the price increases because they will be paying some money to help refurbish Arrowhead. Talk is cheap.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

They are saying it now to see the masses go out and get the issue passed, then they'll be able to waffle and justify the price increases because they will be paying some money to help refurbish Arrowhead. Talk is cheap.

yes it is
why would hunt do that, his reputation is golden in KC?

[tk13]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I disagree here. Lamar by his own admission in the article says he made 24 mil profit. Why do you think money is coming out of his pocket? Is it going to cut into his profit yes but he still won't be paying any money out of pocket.

You have no idea what you're talking about. The difference between the Redskins and Chiefs is almost as bad as between the Yankees and Royals....

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

yes it is
why would hunt do that, his reputation is golden in KC?

It's self explanatory. I explained why in the post.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

It's self explanatory. I explained why in the post.

No you didn't

You didn't explain why Hunt would lie and potentially damage his reputation.

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

No you didn't

You didn't explain why Hunt would lie and potentially damage his reputation.

This is EXACTLY what I said...They are saying it now to see the masses go out and get the issue passed, then they'll be able to waffle and justify the price increases because they will be paying some money to help refurbish Arrowhead.


Now maybe you should re-read Hunt's quote, it doesn't say anything concrete about lowering ticket prices it says that they should THINK about it. I might not calling him a liar you are. Here's what Hunt said...“We need to step back and think about the Chiefs coming to the middle of the range in ticket price.'' Hunt said he wrote a memo to that effect this week to Carl Peterson, Chiefs general manager.

Like I said that gives them plenty of room to squiggle.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

This is EXACTLY what I said...They are saying it now to see the masses go out and get the issue passed, then they'll be able to waffle and justify the price increases because they will be paying some money to help refurbish Arrowhead.


Now maybe you should re-read Hunt's quote, it doesn't say anything concrete about lowering ticket prices it says that they should THINK about it. I might not calling him a liar you are. Here's what Hunt said...“We need to step back and think about the Chiefs coming to the middle of the range in ticket price.'' Hunt said he wrote a memo to that effect this week to Carl Peterson, Chiefs general manager.

Like I said that gives them plenty of room to squiggle.

Um OK your right

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by tk13

You have no idea what you're talking about. The difference between the Redskins and Chiefs is almost as bad as between the Yankees and Royals....

HUH? Teh Yankees spend 181 million. The Royals spend 45 million. The Chiefs and Redskins get to spend the same exact amount every year. No more. They can spend less but not more. It's called a salary cap. Baseball should try it.

[Straight, No Chaser]

This is win-win for KC Metro sports fans.

Both stadiums are over due for upgrades (especially Arrowhead).
Anyone who sees Lamar's intentions as anything more than an act of benevolence is out of freaking touch. If you think, as Joe Chief fan, Lamar is getting over on you then visit the larger markets, go to a game, expeience the environment and then compare that to Arrowhead on game day. Consider yourself lucky Lamar wants to improve the stadium and lower the ticket prices.

Stay home, vote no, and beach about the Chiefs from your Barco-lounger.



--->

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

HUH? Teh Yankees spend 181 million. The Royals spend 45 million. The Chiefs and Redskins get to spend the same exact amount every year. No more. They can spend less but not more. It's called a salary cap. Baseball should try it.

Did you forget about signing bonuses?

[gblowfish]

Chiefs tickets will NEVER come down in price. NEVER NEVER NEVER. They never have, and never will. They may keep them at the current level, then wait for all the other NFL teams to raise their prices, so other cities can enjoy paying out the wazoo like we do. When the other cities catch up to us, then we'll probably be more in the middle of the pack. Tickets have increased from approx $16 to approx $75 ea since King Carl came to town. How many of you guys have made over 300 percent more per year since 1988?

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Did you forget about signing bonuses?

Why does that matter? Signing bonus's are part of the cap. Sure Lamar has to write a check right now for 10 mil to priest but it's spread out over the whole length of the contract. It's still a part of the "cap" dollars he has to work under. The Redskins can't just go buy players every year. Eventually they have to take the cap hit. That why the Chiefs and the Redskins have a level playing field in acquiring players. Now making profit thats another part of the NFL that is not balanced but we were discussing the Chiefs ability to put a team on the field that is competitive.

BTW I'm voting for the tax.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Did you forget about signing bonuses?

Signing bonuses are still part of the cap. They are just pro-rated over the years of the contract. That is still an even playing field in the NFL.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Why does that matter? Signing bonus's are part of the cap. Sure Lamar has to write a check right now for 10 mil to priest but it's spread out over the whole length of the contract. It's still a part of the "cap" dollars he has to work under. The Redskins can't just go buy players every year. Eventually they have to take the cap hit. That why the Chiefs and the Redskins have a level playing field in acquiring players. Now making profit thats another part of the NFL that is not balanced but we were discussing the Chiefs ability to put a team on the field that is competitive.

BTW I'm voting for the tax.

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Signing bonuses are still part of the cap. They are just pro-rated over the years of the contract. That is still an even playing field in the NFL.

There are several NFL owners, including Irsay, who vehemently disagree. Signing bonuses can be pro-rated against the cap, but they must be paid to the player IMMEDIATELY. This is not about the cap, this is about actual money. Irsay had to SELL ASSETS to pay Peyton Manning. Daniel Snyder will NEVER have to do that -- he can re-invest profits in his team.