Public Dollars, Private Stadiums : The Battle Over Building Sports Stadiums

This book provides an eye-opening account of recent battles over publicly financed stadiums in some of America’s largest cities. The authors’ interviews with key decision makers present a behind-the-scenes look at how and why powerful individuals and organizations foist these sports palaces on increasingly unreceptive communities. In the face of studies demonstrating that new sports facilities don’t live up to their promise of big money, proponents are using a new tactic to win public subsidies? touting intangible "social" rewards, such as prestige and community cohesion. The authors find these to be empty promises as well, demonstrating that new stadiums may exacerbate, rather than erase, many social problems. Public Dollars, Private Stadiums should be read by everyone with an interest in the future of sports and our cities. "This book provides an eye-opening account of recent battles over publicly financed stadiums in some of America's largest cities. The authors' interviews with key decision makers present a behind-the-scenes look at how and why powerful individuals and organizations foist these sports palaces on increasingly unreceptive communities. In the face of studies demonstrating that new sports facilities don't live up to their promise of big money, proponents are using a new tactic to win public subsidies--touting intangible "social" rewards, such as prestige and community cohesion. The authors find these to be empty promises as well, demonstrating that new stadiums may exacerbate, rather than erase, many social problems. Public Dollars, Private Stadiums should be read by everyone with an interest in the future of sports and our cities"--Back cover Annotation This book provides an eye-opening account of recent battles over publicly financed stadiums in some of America's largest cities. The authors' interviews with key decision makers present a behind-the-scenes look at how and why powerful individuals and organizations foist these sports palaces on increasingly unreceptive communities. In the face of studies demonstrating that new sports facilities don't live up to their promise of big money, proponents are using a new tactic to win public subsidies-touting intangible "social" rewards, such as prestige and community cohesion. The authors find these to be empty promises as well, demonstrating that new stadiums may exacerbate, rather than erase, many social problems. Public Dollars, Private Stadiums should be read by everyone with an interest in the future of sports and our cities During our first interview for this book, a Pittsburgh public official made it clear that the stadium tax's electoral defeat was, at best, a minor setback. Kevin J. Delaney And Rick Eckstein. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 217-219) And Index.