Intro

2024 is on track to be the biggest year for public stadium subsidies we’ve ever seen. Billionaire team owners keep asking for—and receiving—more exorbitant arenas and upgrades from local governments. But who’s footing the bill? The taxpayers! Even though most economists say the returns from these facilities never live up to the hype, city officials continue to court teams and kowtow to their demands. Why do teams like the Raiders, Orioles and Penguins have local governments in such an expensive chokehold? What does a stadium actually do for a community? What happens when voters have a say? Erin and Tre’vell break down how we got here, and explain why getting a new stadium in your neighborhood is no slam dunk.