Delete WardCouncilman Kazy to Moderate Panel on Financing Sports Stadiums
Jun 12, 2024
Councilman Brian Kazy will moderate a panel discussion and question and answer hearing session on the economic impact of public financing sports facilities on Thursday, June 20th beginning at 1:15 pm.
The panelists include experts on stadium financing including Brad Humphreys, West Virginia University, professor of economics in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics; Victor Matheson, College of the Holy Cross, Economics and Accounting Environmental Studies; and Ken Silliman, Gateway Economic Development Corporation, former chair; with Councilman Kazy as moderator.
For the past thirty years, cities, counties and states across the country spent (and continue to spend) significant public dollars on facilities for professional sports franchises. Currently, the Browns are in talks about an overhaul of their current home or a new domed stadium outside Cleveland. On a smaller scale, Cleveland Pro Soccer is advocating for public spending on a professional soccer stadium downtown. At the same time, Gateway (the non-profit that oversees Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and Progressive Field) is discussing how to finance repairs at the two facilities.
Topics the panelists will discuss include: Have the public stadium deals resulted in the promised economic impact? What have we learned over the past three decades of public financing of sports facilities?
“This discussion couldn’t be more timely,” said Councilman Kazy (Ward 16). “This panel is a great opportunity for citizens to hear and voice their opinion on this issue that impacts the future of this region.”
The discussion will be held in conference room B at the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library at 325 Superior Ave. starting at 1:15 pm to 3 pm. There will be an open Q & A session.