Sports infrastructures and public funding?

[Admiral Yi]

They are a finite good in part because of exemptions from antitrust/competition rules that might otherwise apply.

I don't understand the connection.  Please explain.

[The Minsky Moment]

They are a finite good in part because of exemptions from antitrust/competition rules that might otherwise apply.

I don't understand the connection.  Please explain.

Otherwise there would be open entry for anyone with enough $$ to sign major league level talent.

[Razgovory]

I don't like it, but it's the way things are these days. 

what you mean is that your Republican principles will go away to fund something you happen to like?

That doesn't contradict his Republican principles.

[derspiess]

I don't like it, but it's the way things are these days. 

what you mean is that your Republican principles will go away to fund something you happen to like?

Not really.  It's just something cities or counties have to do in order to stay competitive these days.

[Admiral Yi]

Otherwise there would be open entry for anyone with enough $$ to sign major league level talent.

And there have been competing football leagues and there are minor league basketball leagues. 

[Neil]

I support it as long as the public funding body or bodies retain ownership interest in the facility.

I think that's pretty reasonable.  The idea that the public should just pay for a facility and then give it as a gift to a billionaire is unappealing to me.

[Neil]

Professional sports franchises are a finite good. 

They are a finite good in part because of exemptions from antitrust/competition rules that might otherwise apply.

Would antitrust law require NFL teams to play teams from other football leagues, provided that it wasn't waived?

[dps]

Professional sports franchises are a finite good. 

They are a finite good in part because of exemptions from antitrust/competition rules that might otherwise apply.

Would antitrust law require NFL teams to play teams from other football leagues, provided that it wasn't waived?

No, it would require the NFL to pay each such league $1.

FWIW, I'm in general agreement with you and OvB on this.

[crazy canuck]

Public funding of professional sports facilities doesnt make sense.  Public funding of public sports facilities makes a lot of sense.

I also might be enclined to agree that a basketball court has its use in some places.

[Josquius]

Can't they do a cost-benefit-analaysis as with other big projects?

[Admiral Yi]

Can't they do a cost-benefit-analaysis as with other big projects?

How do you quantify civic pride due to being the home of a franchise?

[Neil]

Can't they do a cost-benefit-analaysis as with other big projects?

How do you quantify civic pride due to being the home of a franchise?

By paying a consultant a half-million dollars to make something up.

[Josquius]

Can't they do a cost-benefit-analaysis as with other big projects?

How do you quantify civic pride due to being the home of a franchise?

However important the city thinks it is. +0.1 or some such.
Though far more important I would hope is practical money matters.

[Admiral Yi]

So you want them to do a cost/benefit, and for the benefit they put in however much they want. 

[Josquius]

So you want them to do a cost/benefit, and for the benefit they put in however much they want. 

I'm not a civil servant. I have no idea how important they think it is. They would have ways of justifying a number however.