Here in Minneapolis in recent years.....
Twins got a new stadium.
Vikings got a new stadium.
Minnesota Gophers football team got a new stadium.
St.Paul Saints got a new stadium.
A new stadium for the soccer team is being built.
The Twins, Gophers and Vikings used to all play in the Metrodome which was paid for.
But now that we spent several billion dollars they each have their own new playhouse for the dozen games they play each year. Of course the Twins needed their own special new playhouse to accommodate the 800 fans they still have
That gets me too.
Years ago, most cities had one stadium which was shared by both the major league baseball and NFL teams. And in some cities, major college football teams played there too.
Then, somewhere along the way, it was decided that each team needed their own stadium. I don’t know who decided that this has to be that way, but in recent years, separate stadiums have been built for baseball and football almost everywhere.
I think Oakland is the only remaining stadium used for both major league baseball and NFL football. The Raiders are planning to move out anyway, so then there will soon be none.
I think that, if a city is in the stadium business, IF they choose to be involved, then it makes the most sense to have one stadium and have all your outdoor sports teams play there. That way, the stadium is used regularly from early April to early January, when occupied by baseball and football teams. How does it make sense, dollars and sense, to have a football stadium used once a week for only a few months out of the year??
On the other hand, if teams finance their own stadiums, none of us can say anything if public money isn’t involved.
“But now that we spent several billion dollars they each have their own new playhouse for the dozen games they play each year. Of course the Twins needed their own special new playhouse to accommodate the 800 fans they still have”
Because nothing contributes more to the furtherment of human knowledge than a bunch of grown men running and jumping and kicking and throwing. That is one thing interesting I have noticed. A growing percentage of GenX are fed up with and do not care much about pro sports, and I have not seen any great indication that the moronials or GenZ care at all. I do not know anybody between 30 and 60 who spends entire sunday afternoons watching sports, though they will watch the occasional big game if they have money bet on it. I know nobody under 30 who watches sports at all. Wonder what will happen when the boomers aren’t around anymore
I still say they should have took the roof off of the Metrodome, sealed its entrances and such, fill it with water, stock it with fish and have fishing competitions, just think how many ice rinks could ya make in that thing in the winter? Better yet, Just flood it and make it a giant ice rink. Have Viking funeral ships burnt there regularly with fireworks displays.
But NO,, artificial turf surfaces rules.. I wonder how much turf vendors kick back to politico types and stadium board members.. or do they just get a free suite to use?