KC Star: Hunt answers cynics on stadium funding (Murphy) - Page 2

FloridaChief · 09-17-2004, 01:15 AM

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.

Brando · 09-17-2004, 10:14 AM

Quote:

It's cheaper than buying a beer.

That it is! Now it's just a matter of convincing the cheerleaders to drink directly from the bottle.

Mark M · 09-17-2004, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waaaahhhhhhhzarus

oh fuck you, rahtard.

the fact that we had cap room, had profit margin and still said we didn't have the money to add free agents this year is proof enough for me.

if Lamar Hunt we so concerned about ticket prices then why did he let them get that high in the first place?

**** yourself, crybaby.

And get over yourself as well.

Did you ever stop to think that there is a reason they didn't make those moves?

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Lamar has shelled out over $50 million in bonuses the past few years (Priest, Trent, Tony, Barber, Holliday, Hall, Maz, Hicks, McCleon and others have been signed or re-signed).

Maybe it has to do with them not being "profile" guys, as DV puts it.

Maybe it's because the Chiefs have been burned by bad FA moves in the past and didn't see the need to add any more high-priced FAs.

The fact is, no one knows why. But for you and others to call Lamar "cheap" is ludicrous. The reason ticket prices went up is because the Chiefs need more revenue. It's just that simple. There simply aren't enough ways at the stadium to make money (i.e. more luxury boxes, concessions, etc.), so they have to find ways to generate more money, and the best way is through ticket sales. If you don't like the price of tickets, then don't buy them.

No matter what you or others say, running an NFL team is BUSINESS. The point of ANY BUSINESS is to make money. Operating in the red is just plain stupid. Sure, it'd be nice to spend hundreds of millions on signing bonues ... after all, that's worked so well for Dan Snyder, hasn't it?

What's even funnier is that, if KC did sign these players and they didn't work out, everyone would be saying how Carl shouldn't have signed them, that they are busts and how much of a waste of cap room the players are.

It's a lose/lose proposition with you and others, and your hatred of all things Carl and Co. prevent some of you from using rational, logical thought. Either that, or you really might wanna mix in some decaf.

MM
~~

beavis · 09-19-2004, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You do not KNOW they have cap room.

Very true. But when I look at teams like the Redskins who go out and sign whoever they damn well please, (and I am in no way saying we should be taking personel advice from Snyder) it really makes me wonder why we can't sign the big name free agents.

Logical · 09-19-2004, 10:46 PM

Winning would do more to help pass this sales tax than any explanation. Get some talent and the rest would probably take care of itself. The way the Royals and Chiefs approach winning they probably do not deserve the investment or the public's trust.

stanleychief · 09-20-2004, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Winning would do more to help pass this sales tax than any explanation. Get some talent and the rest would probably take care of itself. The way the Royals and Chiefs approach winning they probably do not deserve the investment or the public's trust.

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner.

Put a winning team on the field and nobody whines about $6 beers, $25 parking, $60 nosebleed seats. Play like we did on Sunday and nobody will pay for any of it. If Lamar hopes to get this tax passed by November, he better shake things up and get this team turned around proto. I think right now a lot of people feel 'duped' into believing the Chiefs would do something this year, and that doesn't settle well with them to see them do nothing in the offseason.

htismaqe · 09-20-2004, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Winning would do more to help pass this sales tax than any explanation. Get some talent and the rest would probably take care of itself. The way the Royals and Chiefs approach winning they probably do not deserve the investment or the public's trust.

I WHOLE-HEARTEDLY agree.

htismaqe · 09-20-2004, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beavis

Very true. But when I look at teams like the Redskins who go out and sign whoever they damn well please, (and I am in no way saying we should be taking personel advice from Snyder) it really makes me wonder why we can't sign the big name free agents.

You do realize the differences between Arrowhead and FedEx, right? Daniel Snyder can pay for players with REVENUE, whereas Lamar has to take money out of his pocket.

The Chiefs need to sign somebody like McCardell to give the fans some confidence. Pass bi-state2, build some skyboxes, and start using that money to build a real team.

**BigRedChief** · 09-20-2004, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You do realize the differences between Arrowhead and FedEx, right? Daniel Snyder can pay for players with REVENUE, whereas Lamar has to take money out of his pocket.

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.

teedubya · 09-20-2004, 07:26 AM

heh...looks like pretty poor timing to ask us for more cash... no way in hell if we are way under .500 that this town votes to give the Chiefs more ca$h.

BigChiefFan · 09-20-2004, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You do realize the differences between Arrowhead and FedEx, right? Daniel Snyder can pay for players with REVENUE, whereas Lamar has to take money out of his pocket.

The Chiefs need to sign somebody like McCardell to give the fans some confidence. Pass bi-state2, build some skyboxes, and start using that money to build a real team.

I understand your point, but those that actually have to foot the bill should give this some consideration. I'm all for making Arrowhead a nicer facility, but that is dependent on the Chiefs making some moves to put this team over the top. It's give and take and right now I'm upset with the Chiefs FO for doing more of the taking and not enough giving.

wolfpack0735 · 09-20-2004, 08:42 AM

i dont lve in the area that willbe paying for the sales tax but when i come to kc,which is alot, i willbe paying for it. part of me thinks its a great idea but a part of me thinks ifhunt dosent want to spend the money to upgrade the team like it should why bother?

htismaqe · 09-20-2004, 10:20 AM

Quote:

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.

I believe Daniel Snyder made a clean $115M in profit. There's no comparison.

Imon Yourside · 09-20-2004, 10:27 AM

that fact that our ticket prices are middle of the road is flawed, listening to 810 yesterday they stated our ticket prices are 3rd HIGHEST around the NFL!! Simply because they are factoring in that the prices include everyone elses luxury boxes...nice

htismaqe · 09-20-2004, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

that fact that our ticket prices are middle of the road is flawed, listening to 810 yesterday they stated our ticket prices are 3rd HIGHEST around the NFL!! Simply because they are factoring in that the prices include everyone elses luxury boxes...nice

I think you need to read the article again.

Lamar said our ticket prices NEED to be middle-of-the-road...

Quote:

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.

BigChiefFan · 09-20-2004, 01:18 PM

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

09-17-2004, 01:15 AM
FloridaChief Banned Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tampa Casino cash: $10004900	KC Star: Hunt answers cynics on stadium funding (Murphy) 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.
Posts: 5,271

09-19-2004, 10:46 PM	#19
Logical Screw U if U can't take a joke Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	Winning would do more to help pass this sales tax than any explanation. Get some talent and the rest would probably take care of itself. The way the Royals and Chiefs approach winning they probably do not deserve the investment or the public's trust.
Posts: 31,579

09-20-2004, 07:26 AM	#24
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9003042	heh...looks like pretty poor timing to ask us for more cash... no way in hell if we are way under .500 that this town votes to give the Chiefs more ca$h.
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09-20-2004, 08:42 AM	#26
wolfpack0735 buttnaked is the only way tobe Join Date: May 2001 Location: B/T lost & nowhere in ks. Casino cash: $10008827	i dont lve in the area that willbe paying for the sales tax but when i come to kc,which is alot, i willbe paying for it. part of me thinks its a great idea but a part of me thinks ifhunt dosent want to spend the money to upgrade the team like it should why bother? __________________ Three most important things in life... Chiefs football, Beer and women, all in that order!! Adopt - A - Chief Willie Lanier Old enough to remember WHAT a Super Bowl is!!
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09-20-2004, 10:27 AM	#28
Imon Yourside WhatUneed2Hear Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: AllSoulsMatter Casino cash: $-816819	that fact that our ticket prices are middle of the road is flawed, listening to 810 yesterday they stated our ticket prices are 3rd HIGHEST around the NFL!! Simply because they are factoring in that the prices include everyone elses luxury boxes...nice __________________ "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" Peter 5:8 "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay" Isaiah 29:16 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
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09-20-2004, 01:18 PM	#30
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I seriously doubt that the Chiefs are going to lower the price of tickets. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
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