Again?

Under the headline "NFL gives city a Super Bowl pep talk," yesterday's local paper unloaded some more misdirection.  We'll comment on only 2 specific thoughts presented.

We're told the NFL's traveling cheerleader "...visited the intended site of a practice facility that promises to transform the Near Eastside."  This "practice facility" will be a huge new structure for indoor workouts which the NFL requires to city to furnish for the benefit of the visiting team.

We don't have at hand the cost of construction, but the article says it will be turned over "...to the Indianapolis Public Schools as a community asset once the game is over."

In light of the current situation, we wonder what consideration has been given to operation and maintenance costs for this monstrosity, once the game is over.  Whatever that cost, where will the already financially troubled Indianapolis Public School system get those dollars?

Are we trading a day in the "glow" of the Super Bowl for a permanent increase in (property?) tax levies for a new "school building?"

The second thought referenced in the article is this quote from the NFL's advance man, a Mr. Supovitz.  "You (the city) have the opportunity to build memories for people, who come to the game as a realization of their own dreams as fans.  That's a weighty responsibility."

As a matter of governmental philosophy, Mr. Supovitz could hardly be more wrong.  Not even by stretching a public welfare clause to its outermost limits, can the claim be made that a municipality has a responsibility to pay for football fans to "build memories" or to realize their "dreams as fans."

Such an idiotic statement can rise only in the thoughts of those receiving the millions of dollars flowing to the bank accounts of the greedy NFL owners from taxpayer pockets.

P.S.  If the whole thing is such a cornucopia of monetary, civic and social benefits, why were we bidding against only 2 other cities in a league of 32 teams?

Comments

[Leslie Baker]

Good question, as usual. Likely no straightforward replies from anyone who should/does know -- as usual. Keep hammering anyway!

[Vox Populi]

This is nothing more than the usual hyperbole from the NFL. We get the same old song and dance about the hundreds of millions of dollars the Super Bowl will generate while at the same time we will be cajoled to build practice fields, host expensive fetes for the elite masses and whatever else they can manipulate for free from the taxpayers.
If I'm not mistaken the NFL receives the bulk of the monies from the Super Bowl while the host city receives some hollow accolades and the bills.
Too bad you can't sell prestige.