Nostr notes by Field of Schemes

The Sun-Times notes that relocating Wentworth Gardens for a Bears ...

2026-10-29T12:06:36Z

The Sun-Times notes that relocating Wentworth Gardens for a Bears stadium "would certainly meet some resistance," which, yes, tearing down 343 apartments in order to build a tax-free stadium for the local NFL billionaire might raise an eyebrow or two. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/10/29/24880/chicago-architects-draw-bears-stadium-at-white-sox-site-this-is-a-plan-now-apparently/

You can be a former Goldman Sachs exec and a former minority ...

2026-10-26T13:27:40Z

You can be a former Goldman Sachs exec and a former minority Steelers owner and spend a then-record $2.2B to buy the Panthers, but you still have to pay a $150,000 golf club "initiation fee" to win friends who'll help you get $650m in public stadium money. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/10/26/24870/road-to-650m-panthers-stadium-subsidy-was-paved-by-owner-joining-exclusive-golf-club/

West Sacramento's city manager insists using a mega-TIF ...

2026-10-23T12:57:30Z

West Sacramento's city manager insists using a mega-TIF district to siphon off $1B in taxes for an MLB expansion team wouldn't cost taxpayers anything because it's only money "generated by the stadium," not the Casino Night Fallacy again. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/10/23/24865/friday-roundup-sacramento-raleigh-quebec-weigh-stadium-subsidies-for-teams-that-dont-exist-yet/

This is the kind of supervillain behavior by Tom Dundon that is ...

2026-10-21T11:12:32Z

This is the kind of supervillain behavior by Tom Dundon that is unlikely to win over hearts and minds among the populace, and sure enough just 5% of Portland residents say they view the Blazers owner favorably vs. 59% who do not. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/10/21/24858/blazers-owner-went-crazy-canceled-arena-meetings-when-told-of-portland-lease-demands/

Good news, Plano students! The $250m being used by billionaire ...

2026-10-13T23:47:36Z

Good news, Plano students! The $250m being used by billionaire Stars owner Tom Gagliardi to build a new arena wouldn't come out of your school funding, it would come out of the budgets of poorer schools in the rest of the state, that seems fair. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/10/13/24838/plano-approves-taking-250m-from-schools-to-give-to-dallas-stars-owner-for-arena/

None of this necessarily means that the Bears owners will ...

2026-10-05T11:57:40Z

None of this necessarily means that the Bears owners will necessarily give up on an Indiana move if Illinois coughs up property and sales tax subsidies — or, for that matter, that the Bears definitely will move to Indiana if Illinois doesn't. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/10/05/24808/bears-reportedly-seeking-1-5b-in-tax-money-from-illinois/

“It's kind of strange that we got to be in a trailer for ...

2026-09-25T12:45:58Z

“It's kind of strange that we got to be in a trailer for classes,” said one student who said they weren't notified about the Rays' plans to displace Hillsborough College for a $2B stadium. “I'd say that's definitely not really ideal for college students.” https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/09/25/24779/friday-roundup-rays-stadium-sticks-tampa-students-in-trailers-wyden-wants-blazers-owner-to-accept-arena-money-or-else/

The current Wolves arena is only two blocks from the struggling ...

2026-09-23T15:24:59Z

The current Wolves arena is only two blocks from the struggling mall floated as an arena site, but sure, maybe a new arena will cause restaurants and retail to spring up because this one will be different — there's a first time for everything, right? https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/09/23/24775/t-wolves-exec-minneapolis-mayor-float-using-public-money-to-replace-one-downtown-arena-with-another/

The Dallas Morning News relying on advocates for and against a ...

2026-09-22T14:13:20Z

The Dallas Morning News relying on advocates for and against a $700m Stars arena funding ballot measure to make the case for why this is a good deal or not is an abdication of what journalism is supposed to do: find out facts and inform readers about them. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/09/22/24772/breaking-700m-stars-arena-subsidy-is-endorsed-by-advocates-opposed-by-critics/

It appears the central players in getting $2B in subsidies for ...

2026-08-31T14:46:15Z

It appears the central players in getting $2B in subsidies for the Rays owner outsourced their "this one will be different" reasoning to ChatGPT. Stadium documents may be supplied only days before votes now, but at least we have robots to read them for us. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/31/24697/county-officials-cite-ai-the-giving-tree-as-reasons-for-approving-rays-2b-stadium-subsidy/

KC's interest rate for special obligation bonds is 5.725%, ...

2026-08-25T13:46:20Z

KC's interest rate for special obligation bonds is 5.725%, compared to 4.25% for general obligation bonds. This means the city could have saved enough money to cover about $117m in other needs, if only it had allowed a public vote on a Royals stadium. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/25/24676/kc-to-spend-extra-7m-a-year-on-paying-off-royals-bonds-just-to-avoid-public-vote/

The total public cost of a Royals deal is likely closer to $2B ...

2026-08-24T18:14:06Z

The total public cost of a Royals deal is likely closer to $2B than the reported $1.14B — making the $1.9B stadium effectively a free gift to owner John Sherman. And it's a cost taxpayers will never recoup via new taxes from moving the Royals across town. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/24/24667/royals-mega-tif-could-see-missouri-taxpayers-covering-john-shermans-entire-1-9b-stadium-tab/

After the Royals stadium vote, one opponent said "we see how ...

2026-08-21T15:24:12Z

After the Royals stadium vote, one opponent said "we see how our mayor and council members voted [and] we will remember.” That's happened in other cities, but it'd be cold comfort if KC gets revenge on local pols while still being stuck with a $1B+ tab. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/21/24644/friday-roundup-kc-approves-1b-in-royals-stadium-subsidies-over-calls-for-public-vote-independent-analysis/

It's entirely possible that Kansas City will approve its $1B+ ...

2026-08-19T13:41:48Z

It's entirely possible that Kansas City will approve its $1B+ share of an overall $1.5B+ Royals stadium subsidy just three days after the proposal was released, which would be in the running for shortest public discussion period ever for a stadium deal. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/19/24638/kc-committee-approves-city-1b-royals-stadium-subsidy-after-security-arrests-opposition-speaker/

Councilmember Marc Whyte said prior to today's 6-5 San ...

2026-08-17T18:16:00Z

Councilmember Marc Whyte said prior to today's 6-5 San Antonio council vote that holding a public ballot measure on whether to spend $489m on a Spurs arena would cost too much at a time when the city is trying to reduce spending. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/17/24622/san-antonio-council-votes-not-to-let-city-residents-vote-on-489m-in-spurs-arena-funding/

Commissioner Meghan Moyer asked chair Jessica Vega Pederson re ...

2026-08-11T13:06:26Z

Commissioner Meghan Moyer asked chair Jessica Vega Pederson re her Blazers talks hire: “I’m sorry, did I mishear? We hired a negotiator that’s on the board of an organization that is lobbying us on this issue? How is that not a wild conflict of interest?” https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/08/11/24576/multnomah-county-chair-hires-blazers-negotiator-who-heads-pro-arena-lobbying-group-sees-no-conflict-of-interest/

It'll cost $60-62m/year in tax hikes to pay off Indiana's ...

2026-07-14T17:32:57Z

It'll cost $60-62m/year in tax hikes to pay off Indiana's proposed $1B in stadium bonds — meaning any shortfall in tax revenue, and the state could have to scramble to raise additional taxes; ask Cuyahoga County how that's worked out for them. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/07/14/24478/proposed-indiana-tax-hikes-could-fail-to-pay-off-1b-in-bears-stadium-bonds-leave-taxpayers-on-hook-for-even-more/

The issue about sports mega-events like the World Cup and the ...

2026-07-10T14:41:25Z

The issue about sports mega-events like the World Cup and the Olympics isn't whether they should exist, but whether they should exist in their current form, as means for extracting tons of money from host cities and delivering it to corrupt oligarchs. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/07/10/24466/friday-roundup-on-being-a-fan-of-the-world-cup-without-being-a-fan-of-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/

How many times do journalists need to be told: There's no law ...

2026-07-01T11:39:17Z

How many times do journalists need to be told: There's no law that just because somebody in a fancy suit issues a press release means you have to write about it. Especially when you ask to see the report the press release is about and are told, "No." https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/07/01/24431/chiefs-owners-claim-report-they-wont-show-you-says-stadium-will-create-8-4b-in-something-or-other/

Billionaire Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon, who under the plan ...

2026-06-25T14:09:29Z

Billionaire Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon, who under the plan would pay $0 toward arena renovations to the public's $600m, retorted, "it feels like we’re making a pretty big investment by staying here and paying these tax rates." https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/06/25/24412/portland-legislators-question-600m-gift-to-blazers-owner-who-replies-locals-should-be-glad-he-pays-any-taxes-at-all/

Economist Moshe Lander estimates Canada will spend more than $1B ...

2026-06-16T13:23:27Z

Economist Moshe Lander estimates Canada will spend more than $1B to host just 12 World Cup matches, with no indication local governments will make more than a fraction of that back in new tax receipts, leaving the entire event a "toxic money sinkhole." https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/06/16/24331/lolworld-cup-report-long-lines-high-prices-sea-of-red-ink-for-host-nations-windfall-profits-for-fifa/

Researchers found no significant economic differences between the ...

2026-06-09T15:24:42Z

Researchers found no significant economic differences between the immediate areas around new NFL stadiums vs those around rejected runner-up sites, which is consistent with *gestures at everything everyone in this room has been publishing for years*. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/06/09/24244/liveblog-what-economists-are-telling-us-this-year-about-sports-stadiums/

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said "we think the polling runs ...

2026-06-05T13:16:56Z

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said "we think the polling runs about 60-40 in favor" of a Rays stadium when actual polling shows Tampa residents oppose the Rays' funding scheme by 59-34%; congrats to Manfred on inventing vibe polling. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/06/05/24227/friday-roundup-manfreds-funny-rays-poll-numbers-chiefs-sales-tax-fight-mls-wants-even-more-big-o-money/

Even though $5 million a year in tax revenue that is currently ...

2026-06-02T20:34:55Z

Even though $5 million a year in tax revenue that is currently being used for other city expenses would instead be given to the Royals, Mayor Lucas says K.C. wouldn't really be losing anything, because of, uh, something about isosceles triangles? https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/06/02/24217/kc-mayor-says-new-sales-taxes-will-help-pay-off-royals-stadium-but-he-cant-say-how-much-or-hell-have-to-kill-you/

FL Gov. Ron DeSantis promised state cash for a Rays stadium while ...

2026-05-29T12:41:43Z

FL Gov. Ron DeSantis promised state cash for a Rays stadium while threatening if Tampa won't build one, "Orlando’s ready, willing and able" and "Raleigh-Durham, Nashville [are] great cities." Now that’s what friends/campaign donation recipients are for! https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/29/24178/friday-roundup-rays-stadium-could-get-vote-in-july-maybe-sacramento-offers-1b-in-tax-money-for-mlb-expansion-team/

Maybe Rays CEO Ken Babby saying he’s “not reopening a ...

2026-05-26T17:25:39Z

Maybe Rays CEO Ken Babby saying he’s “not reopening a discussion” on the terms of a stadium deal is a move to pressure the city and county to commit to something binding before the end of their sessions this week? It's so hard to tell 4D chess from hubris. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/26/24175/rays-ceo-to-unhappy-legislators-like-our-stadium-deal-the-way-it-is-or-lump-it/

The Hillsborough County commission and Tampa council look set to ...

2026-05-19T14:59:30Z

The Hillsborough County commission and Tampa council look set to vote this week on a nonbinding MOU requiring about $2B in subsidies for a Rays stadium costing $2.3B. Let's hear what some of the main players have to say for themselves! https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/19/24144/rays-advocates-call-2b-tampa-stadium-subsidy-deal-city-building-critics-call-it-pie-in-the-sky/

The Blazers trying to move if Tom Dundon doesn't get his ...

2026-05-18T14:49:59Z

The Blazers trying to move if Tom Dundon doesn't get his $600m in arena money is a threat, yes, but a very vague one, in the "don't make me come in there" category of things people threaten while hoping they don't have to decide if they're just bluffing. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/18/24139/blazers-owner-says-hes-not-threatening-to-move-team-to-nashville-austin-kalamazoo-or-greensboro-media-ignores-him/

Rays CEO Ken Babby boasted the MOU "protects all public ...

2026-05-15T14:02:56Z

Rays CEO Ken Babby boasted the MOU "protects all public funding currently allocated for police, fire, emergency management or response," which is not entirely true since a city and county with $975m less tax money will find it harder to fund those things. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/15/24130/friday-roundup-rays-execs-propose-squishy-mou-to-unlock-stadium-vote-bears-tax-hike-proponent-crushed-in-reelection-bid/

This is where we are with sports subsidies, 40 years in: Even ...

2026-05-12T13:05:29Z

This is where we are with sports subsidies, 40 years in: Even being allowed to ask that the public get anything in return for their gift of tax money to a billionaire owner is seen in some circles as tantamount to running your team out of town on a rail. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/12/24113/portland-council-president-says-he-wont-be-held-hostage-to-blazers-arena-deal-sports-columnist-insists-he-will-too/

Rays execs calling their mixed-use stadium district "fully ...

2026-05-07T13:00:39Z

Rays execs calling their mixed-use stadium district "fully taxable," it appears, is misdirection: They'll be paying some property taxes, but they'll be paying them to themselves, to pay off bonds for their own stadium. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/07/24097/how-many-billions-of-dollars-a-rays-stadium-development-would-cost-taxpayers-an-update/

In the worst-case scenario, host city residents will skip town to ...

2026-05-05T14:55:12Z

In the worst-case scenario, host city residents will skip town to avoid traffic and transit nightmares while tourists steer clear because of high prices and ICE fears, leading to a situation where nobody will go to the World Cup because it's too crowded. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/05/24077/it-may-officially-be-time-to-call-the-2026-world-cup-an-omnishambles/

Deciding which pocket $1B+ in tax money for a Rays stadium would ...

2026-05-04T15:26:32Z

Deciding which pocket $1B+ in tax money for a Rays stadium would come from is less important than the fact that Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa would be handing over public funds that it then wouldn't have available for other uses. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2026/05/04/24073/does-it-really-matter-which-tax-money-hillsborough-spends-on-rays-stadium-an-investimagation/

Among the many questions: Would Oakland have to fund a new ...

2023-08-29T14:25:41Z

Among the many questions: Would Oakland have to fund a new stadium for an expansion team? Cleveland, don't forget, got a replacement Browns, but had to spend even more on a new stadium than the old team owner wanted, so it was hardly an unmitigated win. https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2023/08/29/20339/can-oakland-demand-a-new-team-if-the-as-leave-for-vegas-an-investimagation/