New stadium and Segregated Economics
by Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba
Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba
The Nashville, Tennessee stadium deal is comparable to Western New York’s stadium, and it once again gives us a learning moment. WNY’s proposed facility costs $1.4 Billion, as compared to the Nashville deal of $2.1 Billion; mostly funded by the implementation of taxes associated with the facility. What our local defenders of their deal fail to mention is that like Indianapolis building of Lucas Oil Stadium, these venues are year-round revenue producers. The local deal only benefits the franchise owners with some residual benefit to others. The argument now is to keep the franchise here, which was one of the ultimate goals. The failure is to produce year round revenue engine that would lessen the load on the taxpayer.
This deal fails miserably from that aspect of the proposal. One of the other failures will be revealed once you get past these preliminary agreements. Remember for the first-time seat licenses will play a role in the revenue to produce this stadium; also, the inclusion of ticket fees will be used to allegedly pay for the private side of financing this facility— these are only being mentioned here and there. The problem that I have is the failure of leadership to implement a long-term plan after the last renovation. The reason that the stadium is being proposed in an economic desert, which fails miserably to qualify this facility for year-round events, even if you did put a roof on it. My other problem is you for accepting economic segregation, but they can tax you equally. They have been practicing this form of exclusion for so long that you only offer very little resistance because of fear of what the powerful will think of you.
The others have just been caught up in being fans and are sticking your chest out all over the nation as this is your team. Well, if it was your team then they would include you in advertising (Accredited media out lets). Bills stores in your community, jobs guaran teed to women and people of color during construction, and vendors. You are not even speaking up about the hiring practices of this franchise as com pared to other profession al franchises. Officials are bragging that this project will create 10,000 jobs but that statement should not be made without reason able hiring goals for women, and people of color.
Where is the outrage about a generational blun der that is being made so you can cheer at your big screen that this is my team. You have classically conditioned yourselves to believe that this is nor mal, it is not! The three accredited media outlets, hiring goals, player school participation, and vending must be part of this CBA agreement and the issue of the lack of people of color in the front office of this franchise must also be discussed.