Seattle area: NBA/NHL arena

[Sounder]

Lawmaker drafts plan to bring NBA, NHL to new Seattle arena

"The proposed legislation would require local and visiting professional athletes in the NBA, NFL and MLB to pay a fee for every game they play in Seattle. He says a lot of other cities already have similar laws built into their tax revenue. Hope says it would levy $140 million towards a new sports arena. He's also proposing specialty license plates for Sonics fans, generating another $10 million for bonds."

Tennessee, another state without an income tax has something like this already in place. It charges NHL/NBA players a $2,500 fee for every game, up to a maximum of $7,500 a year so the home team doesn't get gouged.

When Ballmer/Sinegal were potentially involved a few years back, the public only needed $150,000,000 and the group would cover the rest. I wonder if this means Ballmer and company are still involved?

[LCIII]

I wonder where they would put it! I hope in the stadium district...fingers crossed! Thanks for posting

[CrazyAboutCities]

Agreed. Stadium District makes more sense for future sport arena location. I heard rumors that they're looking at Bellevue for possible sport arena location.

[mhays]

Stadium District would be an odd location. They'd have to avoid baseball and football dates. Big problem.

[LCIII]

Other cities have successful co-located sports arenas/stadiums. Why can't Seattle? Sure some infrastructure adjustments would be key and obviously a major parking plan would be important but it's certainly not impossible.

[mhays]

I'm not sure what places have four or five major sports in close proximity. But I suspect that they mostly have way more parking (Cleveland, Phoenix, Philly), and try very hard to avoid scheduling things at the same time.

[M'sFan]

I think charging anyone $2,500 to do their job in a city borders on criminal. I am all for trying to find a way to pay for a new arena.

[M'sFan]

^to continue my thought...I am all for finding a way to finance it; But selectively charging someone that much, regardless of what you make, is pretty sleazy, imo. It reminds me of when I was in Bulgaria and they have the "American Price" for hotel rooms- 50% more. Should we now charge CEOs who come to do business with Boeing a $2,500 per day fee for a convention center upgrade?

[LCIII]

Originally Posted by mhays

I'm not sure what places have four or five major sports in close proximity. But I suspect that they mostly have way more parking (Cleveland, Phoenix, Philly), and try very hard to avoid scheduling things at the same time.

Some examples inside this thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1435214

And yes Philly is the example I was thinking of. Point is: it can be done. Yes they would have to address the parking issue, but I said that to begin with. They should really build a massive parking garage for the stadiums to share. Just bite the damn bullet and solve the problem once and for all. Lots of old short buildings in the area that could surely be purchased and flattened to make way for just such a project.

[pwalker]

I'm not sure if it is a great idea or not, but I do like the fact there are folks trying to make NBA/NHL happen. That rocks.

[SJM]

I'm all for it in the stadium district, ferry proximity is a plus in my book.

[pwalker]

I think it is important to remember that Seattle is the 13th largest media market in the U.S.

There are many important reasons to maintain major league sports in this market, namely the revenue that comes with such, but beyond that, the revenue that comes as a bonus from these franchises, as in added restaurant revenues, hotels, etc. This is important, and adds up. Bring on these future franchises, and bring on increased revenue for all.

Yes, city pride is important, but the financials can be good as well.

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by LCIII

I wonder where they would put it! I hope in the stadium district...fingers crossed! Thanks for posting

Ballmer/Sinegal are very pro Seattle Center, which would mean either the Key Arena or Memorial Stadium site.

My $ is still on the former Safeway facility in Bellevue now owned by Wright-Runstad.

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by M'sFan

I think charging anyone $2,500 to do their job in a city borders on criminal. I am all for trying to find a way to pay for a new arena.

The players have seen their salaries greatly increase with the advent of taxpayer funded mega palaces. Assuming a $375,000,000 venue, the owners/developers will have to pay roughly 60% of the costs, players 37% of the costs, and fans about 3% of the costs. The general public pays nothing.

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by pwalker

Yes, city pride is important, but the financials can be good as well.

Yep. Landing the NHL will bring in a significant number of Canadians down here. The Canucks always sell out and are a tough ticket.

[mhays]

Originally Posted by LCIII

Some examples inside this thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1435214

And yes Philly is the example I was thinking of. Point is: it can be done. Yes they would have to address the parking issue, but I said that to begin with. They should really build a massive parking garage for the stadiums to share. Just bite the damn bullet and solve the problem once and for all. Lots of old short buildings in the area that could surely be purchased and flattened to make way for just such a project.

I prefer the setup we have now...a couple garages that together fill maybe 1/4 of the parking demand, plus use of the surrounding neighborhoods along with many of their garages.

I was starting to think of where a garage might go...as you say it would take tearing down buildings, and probably deleting a street too, to provide a block large enough. Fairly difficult politically, including the industrial land issue.

[mhays]

Originally Posted by pwalker

I think it is important to remember that Seattle is the 13th largest media market in the U.S.

There are many important reasons to maintain major league sports in this market, namely the revenue that comes with such, but beyond that, the revenue that comes as a bonus from these franchises, as in added restaurant revenues, hotels, etc. This is important, and adds up. Bring on these future franchises, and bring on increased revenue for all.

Yes, city pride is important, but the financials can be good as well.

Most of the revenue isn't "additional." It's from locals spending in one neighborhood rather than another.

I'd be an NBA fan again if they came back, and I might vote yes even for NHL because I agree on the civic pride and togetherness thing. Just being realistic.

[just4ivaylo]

Originally Posted by M'sFan

^to continue my thought...I am all for finding a way to finance it; But selectively charging someone that much, regardless of what you make, is pretty sleazy, imo. It reminds me of when I was in Bulgaria and they have the "American Price" for hotel rooms- 50% more. Should we now charge CEOs who come to do business with Boeing a $2,500 per day fee for a convention center upgrade?

I'm Bulgarian and I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the "American Price." The prices at most hotels are pretty clear. And yes, if they can get more money out of you, they will. Do you think that's not the case anywhere else?

Anyways, I do agree that the $2500 charge is ridiculous.

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by mhays

Most of the revenue isn't "additional." It's from locals spending in one neighborhood rather than another.

Not the case when it comes to major sports. There are a finite amount of them, so a significant population has to travel somewhere away to see it. A lot of $ from Oregon, Idaho, and BC is here that wouldn't be otherwise if it weren't for the pro-sports franchises. Add in the occasional all-star game or championship series and that money greatly multiplies.

I did a study on the minor league Sounders while in college and was stunned at the % of outside money they brought in. The Seahawks and Mariners are even more significant. Somewhere I have copies of both regional economic impact studies for both franchises. I'll see if I can find them and I'll post some of the figures. To sum it up, they bring in significant outside money.

[mhays]

Whatever it is, it's a fraction of the numbers reports often quote. Reality may be something like 25% (or whatever), but often these reports act as if 100% of ticket sales are net added money.

Further, even the visitor participation includes people who were in town anyway.