Panthers asking for taxpayer money

[dash]

This always goes over well...

Florida Panthers ask Broward County for public funds - Sun Sentinel

 

[SLY]

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...sion/134193-worst-nhl-franchise-all-time.html

 

[dash]

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...sion/134193-worst-nhl-franchise-all-time.html

Yeah, could have dropped it in there as well, but I think it warranted its own thread. Here are some of the key notes from the article:

Under the proposed change, for the 14-year balance of the current contract:

•The Panthers would shed the $4.5 million annual payment; it would be picked up by the county.

•The county would contribute $500,000 a year toward maintenance, and would pay any of the property insurance tab that exceeds $1 million.

•The Panthers would swap the land it has rights to build on, 12 acres south of the arena, in favor of 22 acres on the arena's north side, where the Panthers hope a casino-hotel or some other development could be built and brought onto the tax rolls.

•The Panthers would immediately repay $10.6 million in loans the county granted them in recent years.

•The Panthers would continue contributing $500,000 a year to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

•The Panthers would commit to investing in hockey team payroll "at a level competitive with the rest of the National Hockey League.''

 

[IndyAndy]

Yormark said the team's new owner, Vincent Viola, hasn't threatened to take the Panthers out of Broward.

"I don't believe that's the intent of Vinnie Viola,'' he said. "I think Mr. Viola's thought process is as follows: He invested a significant amount of money to buy the team and made a significant investment in Broward County. He wants to create a true partnership with Broward County.''


I bet that he changes his tune if this proposal gets shot down.

 

[element1286]

Yeah, could have dropped it in there as well, but I think it warranted its own thread. Here are some of the key notes from the article:

Under the proposed change, for the 14-year balance of the current contract:

•The Panthers would shed the $4.5 million annual payment; it would be picked up by the county.

•The county would contribute $500,000 a year toward maintenance, and would pay any of the property insurance tab that exceeds $1 million.

•The Panthers would swap the land it has rights to build on, 12 acres south of the arena, in favor of 22 acres on the arena's north side, where the Panthers hope a casino-hotel or some other development could be built and brought onto the tax rolls.

•The Panthers would immediately repay $10.6 million in loans the county granted them in recent years.

•The Panthers would continue contributing $500,000 a year to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

•The Panthers would commit to investing in hockey team payroll "at a level competitive with the rest of the National Hockey League.''

What in the hell would make the county accept that deal? Geez, just move them already.

 

[dash]

The biggest mistake the Panthers made (and it's the same mistake the Coyotes made) was building the new arena out in the suburbs. It's tough enough to get people to make a 45 minute+ commute to watch a winning team, let alone a team that struggles. Also, you want to have your arena downtown and close to other venues (other sports stadiums, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, theaters etc.) to maximize the economic impact for the city.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

The biggest mistake the Panthers made (and it's the same mistake the Coyotes made) was building the new arena out in the suburbs. It's tough enough to get people to make a 45 minute+ commute to watch a winning team, let alone a team that struggles. Also, you want to have your arena downtown and close to other venues (other sports stadiums, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, theaters etc.) to maximize the economic impact for the city.

the thing that sets this apart from Glendale is there is actually population density in closeby areas in Sunrise

the arena actually makes money ... the hockey teams doesnt (with all the current taxpayer subsidies, i should say ALLEDGEDLY)

"The Panthers made $10.4 million in profits at the county arena in 2011 and expect to make $21 million this year."


/follow JonathanWillis on twitter ... he is putting alot of info out there

 

[dash]

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I would have no problems paying extra taxes for the Pens, no real fan would refuse paying extra taxes for their favorite team. Step up Panther fans, your team needs you!

 

[elocomotive]

•The Panthers would shed the $4.5 million annual payment; it would be picked up by the county.

•The Panthers would immediately repay $10.6 million in loans the county granted them in recent years.

I should try that tactic with my student loan provider. "Hey, I'll pay off my loan I owe you if you will pay me half the value of that loan annually for the next 14 years."

 

[elocomotive]

I would have no problems paying extra taxes for the Pens, no real fan would refuse paying extra taxes for their favorite team. Step up Panther fans, your team needs you!

I take exception to that. I have a big problem with companies/corporations that largely make millions (and 100s of millions) asking for public funds to run their business. When FedEx needs to build a distribution facility, they don't ask the public to pay for half the construction costs. If there are subsidies needed, the league should distribute those costs in a way that works among them. When a city doesn't support a team enough to make it viable, there is no sense adding insult to injury by taxing them to support the thing they already aren't using.

 

[dash]

When a city doesn't support a team enough to make it viable, there is no sense adding insult to injury by taxing them to support the thing they already aren't using.

This, this, a thousand times this.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I take exception to that. I have a big problem with companies/corporations that largely make millions (and 100s of millions) asking for public funds to run their business. When FedEx needs to build a distribution facility, they don't ask the public to pay for half the construction costs. If there are subsidies needed, the league should distribute those costs in a way that works among them. When a city doesn't support a team enough to make it viable, there is no sense adding insult to injury by taxing them to support the thing they already aren't using.

It doesn't hurt to ask IMO. If the fan base is there they'll support the team. If they're not then maybe it's a sign for the Panthers to relocate elsewhere. I personally think they should move to Seattle and rename themselves the Metropolitans.

 

[DragonfromTO]

I would have no problems paying extra taxes for the Pens, no real fan would refuse paying extra taxes for their favorite team. Step up Panther fans, your team needs you!

But you're not just paying extra for something you care about, you're forcing everyone to pay extra for something that you care about, whether they care or not.

 

[DragonfromTO]

It doesn't hurt to ask IMO. If the fan base is there they'll support the team. If they're not then maybe it's a sign for the Panthers to relocate elsewhere. I personally think they should move to Seattle and rename themselves the Metropolitans.

By forcing those that aren't part of the fan base to help them pick up the tab?

If you want to ask just the fan base to directly support the team, there's an easy way to do that.

 

[Comeds]

I dont believe any of this. I thought owner, and Batman villian, Vincent Viola was really going to turn the team around.

 

[esls79]

It can't be any worse of a deal than those folks in Miami proper are on the hook for with the Marlins new stadium - 600 million and when all is said and done, something like 2.8 billion for debt servicing and associated costs.

 

[forty_three]

I would have no problems paying extra taxes for the Pens, no real fan would refuse paying extra taxes for their favorite team. Step up Panther fans, your team needs you!

I take exception to that. I have a big problem with companies/corporations that largely make millions (and 100s of millions) asking for public funds to run their business. When FedEx needs to build a distribution facility, they don't ask the public to pay for half the construction costs. If there are subsidies needed, the league should distribute those costs in a way that works among them. When a city doesn't support a team enough to make it viable, there is no sense adding insult to injury by taxing them to support the thing they already aren't using.

It was one of the most frustrating things about living in Maryland, every two years new tax laws and ideas went in to help prop up the "Horse Racing Industry" because no one went to the track anymore and the track owners and horse breeders were suffering.

So let it fucking die. No one suggests tax plans to prop up the typewriter repair industry. The world moved on.

Hockey in Miami has failed. If there was a viable fanbase, they'd be selling tickets.

 

[thedddd]

Just move them to Mexico City. Wait I better not say that because Buttman might think that is a great idea.

NOTE: I love the auto correct on my phone putting in Buttman my Iphone is getting smarter and smarter everyday.

 

[element1286]

I take exception to that. I have a big problem with companies/corporations that largely make millions (and 100s of millions) asking for public funds to run their business. When FedEx needs to build a distribution facility, they don't ask the public to pay for half the construction costs. If there are subsidies needed, the league should distribute those costs in a way that works among them. When a city doesn't support a team enough to make it viable, there is no sense adding insult to injury by taxing them to support the thing they already aren't using.

Taxpayers across the country already lost that war, there is almost no way to keep a team without public financing at this point. It's a huge scam, but reality in 90% of situations.