Quote:
Originally Posted by nik-
I mean there tons of studies about this from multiple markets. There is zero empirical evidence. Money is moved to different areas, it's not created. But go with whatever makes you feel better about getting played I guess.
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That's the thing: businesses
do create wealth. By definition. It is the only reason to create a business.
That is why governments support business development - it creates jobs and wealth. It's how standards of living actually rise.
The idea that sports, as a business, somehow is exempt from that - that the business development that surrounds arenas and stadiums - is somehow different, and only exists as a transfer from elsewhere, is a concept that only a bunch of never-experienced-business-or-the-real-world university professors could ever believe.
But let's take your side for a moment. Let's assume that no new wealth or business is created. That it is only transferred from other potential locations.
So what are we left with then?:
1) higher tax revenue, due to the downtown location
2) increased urbanization, which is a major goal of all NA cities, and is beneficial for all kinds of reasons, including being environmentally sound encouraging public transit, etc.
But hey... studies! No proof!