[lakeshastina]

Would the business case not be - commerce generated during sporting events, multiple businesses nearby the stadium benefiting from increased foot traffic, and so on? Projected over a 10-20 year horizon, the city would likely make back its money and then some, while increasing income for businesses in the vicinity.

[jdminhbg]

This is the frequently-cited theory, but most realistic studies show that it doesn’t really work out that way. I think the reasonable justification is more that having a team is an intangible good for the city, like a museum or a library, where you can’t measure the value in dollars.

[rubiquity]

You presume that money couldn’t be spent elsewhere or even gasp saved away for a rainy day or paying down a debt early.

[tshaddox]

Should each township build and operate its own cinema as well?