SAINTS FOOTBALL IS BACK

[CajunFun]

So. you're not a Saints fan?

If they're playing and I'm watching, sure.

But what I see is a bunch of super-rich guys making jazillions off of pro sports teams, and then getting all sorts of concessions on top of that to reduce city and state revenues-- revenues that might fund universities, schools, libraries.

People love to point out the financial impact of a pro team. But how much of that impact is diverted from other things? How much of it is people from Alexandria, Lafayette, BR, driving to NO and spending money they might have spent in their own communities?

Someone with inside knowledge once told me that the actual financial impact of an NFL team is about the same as a large shopping mall. It's just not a large contributor.

And then there is this interesting insight: when an NFL team comes to town, football support for the local university typically declines.

Hence my comment.

[ZoomZoom]

If they're playing and I'm watching, sure.

But what I see is a bunch of super-rich guys making jazillions off of pro sports teams, and then getting all sorts of concessions on top of that to reduce city and state revenues-- revenues that might fund universities, schools, libraries.

People love to point out the financial impact of a pro team. But how much of that impact is diverted from other things? How much of it is people from Alexandria, Lafayette, BR, driving to NO and spending money they might have spent in their own communities?

Someone with inside knowledge once told me that the actual financial impact of an NFL team is about the same as a large shopping mall. It's just not a large contributor.

And then there is this interesting insight: when an NFL team comes to town, football support for the local university typically declines.

Hence my comment.

The greed has reached another level. The pushback by taxpayers has lead to private equity firms being recruited. I look for the Saints and the state to recruit such investors down the road. But then again, I can see our fearless leaders getting out hustled by Mississippi right down the road.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...3960542/?amp=1

[Swamp]