That's the six million dollar question. While Mayor Ballard and local news media
jumped on today's announcement that the Big Ten Conference had selected Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium to host the inaugural championship game, there are some minor details that have to be worked out. The Big Ten notes that Indianapolis has been chosen as "
the proposed site for the event." "The conference office will begin a 30-day period to negotiate a one-year agreement with Indiana Sports Corp and Lucas Oil Stadium to host the game," the press release reads. "Once the 2011 agreement is in place, the conference office will conduct a thorough process over the next year to determine the location of the Big Ten Football Championship Game in 2012 and beyond."
What's there to negotiate? Uumm, a package of government-financed subsidies to host the event, perhaps? The word is out that Indianapolis will sacrifice its taxpayers to pay any price, bear any burden and meet any hardship to host a sporting event. No small wonder the Big Ten would hand this
honor burden to Indianapolis to carry. So what's the price, Mr. Mayor, for hosting this event? Discounted hotel rooms? Concessions? Waived admissions taxes, sales taxes, etc? Free limo service? Free use of convention center space? Let's not leave anything out. We must roll out the red carpet for anything related to sports.
UPDATE: Yep. The
lead story in the Star today is about the $10 million financial windfall to the City from hosting the event. No mention of how much money the City will have to pony up to host it.
6 comments:
...and Jim Irsay is giddy, with dollar signs glistening in his eyes...
He's probably already scanning the Jack Kerouac catalog, looking for his next acquisision.
What a great deal. Just sit back and the city hands you a few million more for doing absolutely nothing.
The City will probably reimburse Irsay to give up the concession rights for the event.
If only these idiots would wake up! Gencon is in town with over 30,000 people in attendance and I doubt if the city ponied up any money to attract this event. Indy needs to get off the sports band wagon and look at more creative ways to bring people and their money to town. The problem with the Big Ten playoff game is it's only a one shot and down event. In retrospect it will be more profitable then the Super Bowl. That is if there is a Super Bowl next year with the threat of a lock out looming on the horizon.
Remember, TAXPAYERS. WE do not get any of the money from tickets, parking, concessions, etc.
IRSAY DOES.
And if it's like games, WE also pay for all pre-event activities.
AI,
I'm trying to figure out where they got the $10 million figure.
They just pull these numbers out of their ass, Paul. You've been around long enough to figure that out.
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