Field-wide aquariums, bleacher-style pool cabanas and futuristic, holographic instant-replay machines definitely are pretty amazing professional stadium features — but where does the money come from to fund these stylish amenities?
“Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver appears to have the answer, but fans might not like the results.
“The vast majority of stadiums are made using public money,” Oliver said, citing a 2012 report, adding “$12 billion (has been) spent on the 51 new facilities opened between 2000 and 2010.”
Oliver, though, wonders why these extremely wealthy owners need financial help from local citizens.
“Teams are shameless in manipulating cities’ fears,” the comedic host said. “In November 1997, the Minnesota Twins even ran an ad with the tagline, ‘If the twins leave Minnesota, an 8-year-old from Willmar (Minn.) undergoing chemotherapy will never get a visit from Marty Cordova.”
“This is less like the ‘Make-a-Wish Foundation’ and more like the ‘make-a-threat foundation’.”
If teams, however, can’t get a new stadium, they can always threaten to relocate. Spending public money on stadiums and relocating are so prominent in the NFL, they’re key features in a “Madden 25” game mode, Oliver joked.
See the entire rant below.
So yeah, it’s probably safe to say stadiums can do without pools and aquariums.
