J.C. Bradbury

Tomorrow (Tues. Oct. 27) I will be discussing my new book This One Will Be Different: False Promises and Fiscal Realities of Publicly Funded Stadiums with Rafi Kohan at 7:00 PM at Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta. Hosted by @acappellabooks.bsky.social

The arrogant obtuseness displayed by DC Councilmember Matthew Frumin in this hearing ought to be embarrassing. His suggestion that putting a roof on Audi Field might pay for itself has literally NEVER happened before. Sadly, when it comes to sports, it's standard.

Do people not know what a study is? Paying someone to tell you what you want to hear as counterbalance to 50 years of actual research isn't a "study." Why is it so hard to use words correctly?

Seriously, there's no need for more study of the economics of sports venues. The evidence shows they clearly don't promote economic development and we know exactly why. The spending is just a reallocation of existing wealth. bsky.app/profile/jcbr...

I wrote my book because there needs to be some awareness of how bad our public policy is toward sports venues. Everyday there's another subsidy proposed, and everyone acts like it's a reasonable policy choice. Why not just hand out cigarettes to teenagers?

Noticably absent from the elected representatives' discussion was any acknowledgement of mountains of evidence that demonstrates sports venues are a bad use of taxpayer dollars. How is that possible?

A reason we get stadium boondoggles is that the folks in charge of budgeting don't understand BASIC public finance. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO COSTLESSLY EXTRACT $1 BILLION FROM THE ECONOMY. No stadium has EVER generated enough new tax revenue to pay for itself, but he projects it will.

For example, here's a report from the Worcester, MA city auditor backing the ridiculous assertion that a proposed minor-league baseball stadium would pay for itself, like the consultant the city hired said it would. His underlining, not mine.

Portland's mayor has to be the world's worst negotiator. There's a ridiculously generous deal on the table that the owner won't take. It's simple: the Blazers can take it or leave it. Or perhaps he likes the proximity to sports that negotiations bring. What a huge waste of public resources.

59% of Portland voters have a negative impression of Blazers owner Tom Dundon. 33% very negative. Only 5% positive (1% very positive). If I'm a local rep hoping to get re-elected, I'm looking for an out for the deal on the table.

First round of signed bookplates going out today. Thanks to all of you who have purchased This One Will Be Different. Going to have to get some more stamps!

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We're 30 months away from opening day 2029. Here's the timeline for the last 5 MLB ballparks (months): Team | Approval | Groundbreaking MIN | 47 | 31 MIA | 36 | 33 ATL | 41 | 31 TEX | 40 | 30 ATH* | 58 | 33 AVG | 44 | 32 *assumed completion

I wouldn't worry about Rays attendance. I'm sure once the new stadium opens in Tampa, fans will flock to it just like they did for the Marlins in Miami.

"The district includes all of Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, Shawnee, Lenexa and Olathe."