Dear Readers,
After nearly two decades of considering a relocation, the Athletics have played their last game at the Oakland Coliseum.
It was a bittersweet end to a 57-year run in the East Bay for one of the most successful sports franchises in history. From the Swingin’ A’s of the 1970s, to the Bash Brothers of the ‘80s, to the Moneyball era of the early 2000s, the teams they fielded always had a special je ne sais quoi that personified the persistence and grittiness of the Oakland community.
But amid the news surrounding the Athletics’ search for a new home, the consequences of public funding policies have been overlooked. Cities often find themselves caught in a tug-of-war between team owners seeking public funds for new stadiums and taxpayers wary of footing the bill. Unfortunately, it's not just Oakland that is faced with this dilemma. Recently, Erie County, New York, announced a sale of “Bills Bonds” as part of an $850 million public funding package for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
This week, we’re highlighting the problems surrounding the funding of sports stadiums, and discussing the causes, consequences, and remedies.
Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor
