Behold the power and the glory that is the NFL: http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/262253921.html
Why is this news? This is a private event and cities can choose to agree to the requirements if they want the Super Bowl. This isn't a god given right and the NFL is exploiting the need people have to host a Super Bowl. Do you really think other big events are that much different? National Political conventions?
Sporting events always end up with the city holding the back. It costs the city more money than the revenue a city will generate through taxes.
City leaders are accountable to their citizens. The citizens might be interested in knowing what their taxes are being used to to pay for at a private event. Notice the recent backlash with cities no longer wanting to host Winter Olympics - you may see the same in the future if it's a PR problem for cities to agree to fund a bunch of private events at taxpayer expense.
Probably about the same. The use of public monies should be public information. And citizens should be able to judge their elected officials actions. The real bottom line should be publicized by the city, all the airport and car rental taxes, room and food taxes, dollars stuffed to help local college girls pay for school. The tough part is the intangibles, goodwill and publicity that results in future income. But it shouldn't be a drain on locals so that city officials get seats; local people won't get into the game.
I see no problem with this. NFL has something the cities want, why not use that to squeeze as much out of them as you can? If cities don't want to agree to these things, then don't enter the bidding.
My tax dollars at work. Of course since I live about a mile from the stadium I am starting to wonder if I'm going to fall into one of the 'clean zones'. On the plus side I've got a few years to think about how I can profit off of the Minneapolis Super Bowl.
I think the problem was mostly in the confidentiality - the citizens of the city have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. If they are OK with it, that's absolutely fine. But a city probably shouldn't be making secret agreements with private entities to spend tax dollars on exclusive private parties, etc.
Most of the time cities lose money on sporting events. Do you think the Superbowl is going to help improve tourism in Houston or Indianapolis? I have no interest in going to Indianapolis and if I didn't live in houston I would have no incentive to come here.
I understand your point as it relates to the relationship between citizens and their city as oppose to the city and the NFL. It's good to have that transparency to the voters themselves.
