Minor League Baseball Stadiums

Here's an article from New York's Newsday about the failure of the stadium built for the Brooklyn Cyclones to improve the fortunes of surrounding Coney Island.

Cities continue to attract such teams however. Harrisonburg, PA is expected to build a stadium for the AAA Ottawa Lynx affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.

Private Funding for Arenas and Stadiums

SBC Park in San Francisco is held up as the shining example of not relying on taxpayers to foot the bill for new sports complexes. This raises several questions: what is the downside to private funding? Are there other recent examples of privately funded stadiums?

The San Francisco Giants must fork out $20 million a year to pay off the money they borrowed for the stadium. Does this mean that if the fans stop coming to the games (which, due to Barry Bonds' injury this season, is a real possibility) that the team can no longer afford to be competitive? Are ticket prices higher?

As for examples of privately funded stadiums aren't university sports complexes privately funded? I believe in Virginia that taxes can't be used for university stadiums. The new University of Virginia basketball arena being built right now is being payed for by donors.

DC government licking its lips in response to Supreme Court decision

Yep. I thought Kelo v. New London would make the mayor happy.

San Diego football stadium

The San Diego Chargers plan on taking advantage of California's much-abused initiative process to bypass the elected government in an attempt to get a new stadium approved. Unlike earlier proposals the city would not be expected to pay for any of the stadium, but would be responsible for donating 60 acres of land for the project.

Supreme Court decision

How long will it take for the decision today from the Supreme Court to be used to take land for a stadium or arena? This seems gift wrapped for DC's designs on the Anacostia waterfront for the Nationals.

DC United stadium?

Steven Goff reported in today's Washington Post that 2 real estate developers who are on the verge of buying DC United are also involved in deals involving the future Washington Nationals stadium, a proposed DC United soccer stadium on the Anacostia river, as well as a new stadium for the Richmond Braves.

DC United have been the most successful team in the 10 years of the MLS. They have also been the most successful Washington DC sports team over the last 10 years. I'm not sure what the hold-up has been with getting a soccer stadium built in DC, but I could see a scenario in which United, like the Redskins before them sell their soul for a suburban stadium and sink into mediocrity beyond the reach of their most ardent fans.