Who should pay for new sports stadiums?
As teams in Chicago and elsewhere pursue new venues and entertainment districts, lawmakers face renewed questions about public financing.
While sports teams across the country pursue new stadiums, lawmakers in those states must decide to what extent — if any — their taxpayers should contribute.
Chicago is entering one of its busiest periods in decades for stadium development. Teams are proposing stadiums and entertainment districts that could reshape the state’s landscape, highlighting the debate over whether taxpayers should help pay for them.
The Chicago Bears, whose training camp is getting underway, are seeking a new home, possibly in Indiana. The team and Springfield did not reach a deal — at least not yet — around a stadium in Illinois.
The White Sox look to develop a new ballpark. The Chicago Fire broke ground for McDonald’s Park. The United Center, home to the Chicago Blackhawks and Bulls, is moving ahead with the $7 billion 1901 Project, which even includes affordable housing.
Illinois isn’t the only place with major sports developments under consideration and wondering whether taxpayers should help.
NFL teams built eight stadiums from 2009 to 2020. The completion of Nissan Stadium, home to the Tennessee Titans, will mark the start of a new wave of NFL stadium construction.
Baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer teams are also looking for facilities with new technology, more amenities and greater seating.
Stadium developments in Illinois see various funding options just like the other stadiums across the country.
The Bears have sought various forms of public assistance in Illinois and Indiana as lawmakers weigh proposals for the franchise.
The White Sox proposed a publicly assisted stadium in the South Loop. By contrast, the new Chicago Fire stadium will be privately funded by the owner, with some public money spent on infrastructure around the stadium. The 1901 Project around the United Center is privately financed.
The United Center and the new Chicago Fire stadium in Illinois, along with the out-of-state SoFi Stadium, Chase Center and MetLife Stadium, show that stadiums can be privately funded and that taxpayers don’t need to give big concessions to sports franchises.
Chicago taxpayers are still paying their share of the last Solider Field renovation. The taxes and costs in Chicago are not helping the city keep the Bears. If the team were to leave, it would follow a path taken by tens of thousands of Illinoisans.
In football, every play has a cost if it doesn’t work. Illinois should take the same approach to stadium financing: Review the playbook, measure the risks and avoid fumbling taxpayer dollars.