Thursday, January 04, 2007

MAYOR HERENTON WANTS TO BUILD A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM?

Polar Donkey's blog addressed the issue about a new football stadium for the city of Memphis that was mentioned by Mayor Herenton on New Years Day.

While I was not at Mayor Herenton's event, the idea of a new football stadium is one of the craziest ideas I have ever heard. Why? Why? Why? Why?

The stadium/arena business has been HUGE the last 10-15 years as every team in every professional league wanted a new stadium. Some cities even built these arenas without a team in place. In the late 1980s, Memphis was in serious consideration for an NFL team. At that point, a new football stadium made sense. That dream ended when the NFL decided to expand to Jacksonville and Charlotte in 1995. Memphis did receive its NFL team for a short period in 1997 when the Oilers moved from Houston while waiting for its Nashville stadium. However due to lack of attendance, the team left a year early.

In this day and age in Memphis, a new stadium does not make sense. I imagine that the city would have a much better use for $100M than a new stadium even if it is privately financed. While it may be privately financed, there will still be issues for the city to deal with such as traffic congestion, viable locations, environmental factors, parking and infrastructure needs.

I would agree that a new stadium makes sense if and only if the following occur:
  • Violent crime in the city is significantly reduced;
  • Infant mortality rates are reduced;
  • Communities are revitalized;
  • Political corruption and kickbacks are ended;
  • Overall health is improved;
  • Living wages are increased (not by legislation, but by the market forces);
  • Public education is improved;

If UM wants to build its own stadium, then more power to the university. UM does need a better football stadium, because it will help improve the program get better recruits and better non-conference opponents. Perhaps a new stadium may even entice one of the BCS conferences such as the SEC or Big East to offer membership to UM. While this would be one potential benefit from a stadium, it is not the city's responsibility to provide the stadium especially when there are so many pressing needs that have not been addressed.

Perhaps the Mayor has a plan for improving all the above while also getting his stadium, but I just do not see how it will be possible.

5 comments:

Steve Steffens said...

Welcome back, you have been missed!

Solid post on the Mayor's ridiculous idea.

The Moderator said...

It's nice to be missed. Thank you. After last year's primary and general elections, I needed to take a break from the political scene. Now that it is 2007, the Space Ninja is well-rested, a year older and ready to see what will happen in this year's city elections.

Mr. Kingrowe Starr said...

What would effects of privately funded stadium have on our economy? people would object to certain families having all the future profits, but let's admit Memphis is expanding and exploding at the seams, Someone should undertake project. Progression is at hand. Whether Memphis grasps opportunities, We shall see? Kirby class of 1986

Anonymous said...

Hi Joseph!

I sent you an email.

Anonymous said...

never mind the email, please disregard it. thanxx