[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday October 19, 2005 at 12:06pm]
A new stadium funding source
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is moaning again about the need for "leadership" to get these stadium deals done. That the paper would also benefit from this is not noted - again. Also not noted is that the Twins deal really doesn't require Legislative action, just passage of tax increase referendum required by existing State law.
But the Vikings embarrassments near Lakes Minnetonka and Lake Michigan have its owner dropping out this round. The Twins are suing to remind us that they no longer have a contractual obligation to play in the Metrodome next season. The Gophers took themselves out with a completely avoidable loss to Wisconsin. So it's back to the drawing board.
It's time to tap a new revenue source - the players. Like their owners, the players are also in effect getting public money from these deals. For baseball, I'd say 10% of their gross income, including deferments and benefits. For pro-football, maybe a little higher. Even the Gopher players should pay something toward their eventual pro careers if successful, but that's best handled by the NCAA.
The politics is right for this move. Even the Twins whose bats went to sleep in late June aren't the most popular right now. Let those who benefit the most pay most of the tax.
But the Vikings embarrassments near Lakes Minnetonka and Lake Michigan have its owner dropping out this round. The Twins are suing to remind us that they no longer have a contractual obligation to play in the Metrodome next season. The Gophers took themselves out with a completely avoidable loss to Wisconsin. So it's back to the drawing board.
It's time to tap a new revenue source - the players. Like their owners, the players are also in effect getting public money from these deals. For baseball, I'd say 10% of their gross income, including deferments and benefits. For pro-football, maybe a little higher. Even the Gopher players should pay something toward their eventual pro careers if successful, but that's best handled by the NCAA.
The politics is right for this move. Even the Twins whose bats went to sleep in late June aren't the most popular right now. Let those who benefit the most pay most of the tax.