First, let me say that I think the Strib editorial dept. generally does a
good job on MOST issues, especially since the addition of Steve Berg.
The stadium issue, however, has not been one of its strong points. Not
because it supports public funding, but because the stadium editorials have
been strong on cheerleading and weak on substance.
On 11/19/00 the editorial said, "Idealists keep claiming that the public is
fed up with subsidizing pro sports; that Americans have finally resolved to
say no. But they haven't. Voters in Phoenix, Houston and Green Bay just
approved new playpens."
What the editorial failed to mention was that the referendum in Green Bay
was about the sale of the stadium's naming rights to EASE taxpayer costs for
renovations and that the Houston referendum asked voters to apply EXISTING
hotel and rental car taxes to construct a new home for the Houston Rockets.
Yes, Green Bay and Houston are putting public dollars toward new or
renovated stadiums, but the Strib's spin doesn't foster debate. Instead, the
paper just keeps waving its pom poms in the face of public opposition.
Today's editorial about keeping an open mind is more balanced and possibly a
step in the right direction, but criticizing Lisa McDonald for being
skeptical is misguided. Voters are skeptical. And the Strib isn't helping.
Here's some of what's not being said:
>From the Washington Post (11/21/00):
Jeffrey Loria, the majority general partner of the Montreal Expos, said
today that a new stadium will neither solve the financial ills that have
plagued the franchise for more than a decade nor stop speculation that the
team will move. "Even in a full stadium, with complete business and
corporate support, 2.4-plus million in attendance, Montreal still would not
be able to support a team without revenue sharing."
>From the Washington Post (11/22/00):
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said yesterday that there would be no
relocation of major league franchises until the 30 team owners "solve the
basic economic problems" of the industry. "Moving a franchise is a potential
solution, but until we know the economic framework, there's no sense making
judgments on some part of the equation until we know what the whole equation
is."
