On Twitter:

@tbo_factfinders

Follow @tbo_factfinders

Numbers tell the story, and we’ve got your numbers.
The News Center work group known as the Data Circle is your guide through the world of what counts. And what can be counted.
We’ll find the figures and show the patterns that explain life here in Tampa Bay-from amusement parks to zoo animals, with government salaries and big water users in between.
If it’s facts you want, we’ll find them for you. Shoot us an email.

Editors

Dennis Joyce

Joyce joined The Tampa Tribune as senior editor for metro in 2005 and later helped launch TBO.com’s continuous news desk. He has worked as an editor and reporter in Arizona, Kentucky, Virginia, Idaho and Stuart, Fla. Email

Jeff Scullin

Scullin has worked for The Tampa Tribune since 2005, directing news coverage in Pasco County and serving as the paper’s Sunday editor. He has worked as an editor and reporter in Lakeland, Sarasota, North Carolina and California. Email

Producer:
Janine Dorsey

Researcher:
Buddy Jaudon

Reporters:
Shannon Behnken
Mark Douglas
Rich Mullins
Courtney Cairns Pastor
Lindsay Peterson
Michele Sager
Michael Sasso
Kevin Wiatrowski

Most Recent Entries

• 1 Killed This Week in Afghanistan
• Nelson: Obama birth control compromise “seems to solve the problem”
• Sharpe suspending campaign
• Sharpe to make announcement, may be out of House race
• Largo Military Museum Gets New Name, Mission
• Planned Parenthood: Polls show Catholics, voters favor contraception coverage
• Weatherford denies any attempt to undermine West
• Michelle Obama to tour Florida for healthy eating
• Pentagon Co-Spokesman Changed Trim After Boss’ Haircuts
• Brig. Gen. Becomes Highest-Ranking Death in Afghanistan
• Special Operations Command To Go Para-Commando Over University of Tampa
• Air Force To Cut Nearly 300 Planes, But None From MacDill
• POTUS Veterans Job Act: Billions To Hire Vets As Law Enforcement, First Reponders, Park Workers
• Will Israel Really Strike Iran? SECDEF Won’t Comment On Ignatius Assertion
• College Scholarship Available To a Lucky Family At MacDIll

More

• Breaking News
• Command Post Tampa
• Fact Finders - Databay Blog
• Guestbook: Remembering The Fallen Soldiers
• Fresh Squeezed Politics
• Political Safari

Monthly Archives

• Breaking News
• Command Post Tampa
• Fact Finders - Databay Blog
• Guestbook: Remembering The Fallen Soldiers
• Fresh Squeezed Politics
• Political Safari

Fact Finder page | Follow us on Twitter Ask a question

After the cheers fade, stadium debt remains

Posted Sep 8, 2010 by Jeff Scullin

Updated Sep 8, 2010 at 12:34 PM

There’s an interesting story in the New York Times today about the debts governments incur building sports arenas and how much of it hangs around even after the stadiums are abandoned. And guess who keeps paying off that debt, often for years after the last touchdown is scored? That’s right: taxpayers.

Mind you: This isn’t an argument against having taxpayers in in the Bay area pay or chip in for a new Rays ballpark. That discussion deserves to run its course before decisions are made. But, as that discussion continues, it’s worth noting the experiences of other communities.

Here’s a breakdown of the numbers outlined in the Times story:


Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Former tenants: New York Giants, Jets
Remaining debt: About $110 million

Izod Center , East Rutherford, N.J.
Former tenants: New Jersey Devils, Nets
Remaining debt: About $75 million

Kingdome, Seattle, Wash.
Former tenants: Seattle Seahawks, Mariners
Remaining debt: $80 million+

RCA Dome, Indianapolis
Former tenant: Indianapolis Colts
Remaining debt: $61 million


The Times also notes that taxpayers in Philadelphia, Houston, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Memphis are in similar situations, though the story doesn’t break down the debt obligations in those cities.