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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.''
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 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 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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.