Posted on 12/09/2014 12:28:18 PM PST by TurboZamboni
As they're sorting through requests for more funding from programs and agencies next legislative session, state lawmakers are likely to be asked to help out a huge New York City-based nonprofit: the National Football League. 2015 is the year when any additional tax exemptions for the league related to the 2018 Super Bowl would likely be passed, and stadium officials have confirmed they will be making requests. The question of what exactly Minnesota taxpayers would be giving the NFL as part of hosting the game has been in limbo since Minneapolis' bid was accepted by league owners in May. As recently as June, according to a confidential draft memo released recently by the Department of Revenue, there were "no plans to pass additional tax incentives." But Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, said last week it's likely stadium officials and leaders of the Super Bowl organizing committee will ask the Legislature to extend an existing exemption on Super Bowl game tickets to cover tickets to related events as well.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
Roger Goodell got the job because he did an excellent job as the NFL’s point man for rolling state and local governments for freebies. Not because he’s actually capable of being Commissioner.
It’s without a doubt the largest corporate welfare momma in the USA.
It’s just smart business really. They know cities will offer “incentives” to host the SB, no reason not to get as much “incentive” as possible. Really it’s no different than when Toyota is “considering” where to put a new factory. Just because you’re making more than your 2 nearest competitors combined is no reason to leave money on the table.
We need to end all of these handouts.
Absolutely. State and local officials should stop prostituting themselves and the people they represent chasing businesses. But as long as they continue to do that I’m not blaming any business for taking the cash, it’s bad business to pay for stuff you don’t have to, even if the people making you the offer shouldn’t. Somebody IS going to get that largesse, might as well be you.
Just about the same can be said about MLB, NBA, NHL, etc.
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