Browns Adding to Game Day Experience

[Soda]

I don't think people realize a nicer stadium brings more downtown meaning more money spent.

Generally speaking, people don't know shit. About anything. They just like to talk.

 

[Pyro]

Yes, because new scoreboards will really bring people to the stadium.

 

[RealKingofCleve]

I'm not advocating one way or the other, as I no longer reside in Cleveland. However, all recent research refutes what you are saying; Publicly funding stadiums for billionaires, and a non-profit organization like the NFL (i.e. non taxed organization), is slowly being proven to be one of the most fiscally irresponsible thing cities can do. There is a direct correlation between bankrupt cities and publicly funded stadiums; the dollars spent by citizens are never matched by the amount of "tourism" or "event" cash brought in by the stadium. These leagues rely on the fear of relocation in order to take advantage of working class and city dwellers. There is little doubt that investing in they city's infrastructure and education systems would be a far better long term plan to improve the city...but long term investments are never shiny and attractive; not to mention that elected city officials would be run out of town should we lose a sports franchise that is costing the city millions, and therefore do whatever is needed in the short-term to stay in office;

Even Jerry Jones, who self-funded his billion dollar stadium did so with the veil of a lifetime tax abatement...a lifetime tax abatement that the people of Arlington will pick up the slack for at the tune of $6M per year....

Essentially, the NFL specifically, and sports franchises in general, rely on people thinking you should pony up some of your hard earned working class dollars, in order to line the pockets of a few select billionaires.

Right on the money. Billionaires fucking these cities in the ass. Who is benefiting from these uprgrades? Jimmy, he's going to raise prices and make more money. Who is paying for it? Not Jimmy. Makes total sense right?

 

[Erbium]

If you are interested in additional info on the subject, this article is one of many that have recently been published on this exact topic:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/10/how-the-nfl-fleeces-taxpayers/309448/

 

[SixPACK]

Not to mention the business Downtown receives on game day......

I don't think people realize a nicer stadium brings more downtown meaning more money spent. I can tell you for example at OSU (I know much bigger crowd draw) a bar on lane once told me they pay for their whole year pretty much just from the football home games. Browns would be smart to really up the tailgate atmosphere.

Yes, because new scoreboards will really bring people to the stadium.

But the stadium isn't in the heart of downtown like the Q and Progressive Field. It's about a mile away from everything.

It's not just about scoreboards. Anything they do to improve the stadium may, mayyy get another family to head up there that never really cared to. That's more business & money in their eyes. Plus, I know for some of the older people that didn't like watching the players when they were on the opposite side of the dawg pound, the bigger screens will help. It just brings the stadiums appeal up by a lot.

And as I said before, it may drive people up to a game that haven't been there before. Not everyone likes going to Muni. I know my older family members like going to West 6th or other bars before the game then walking there.

Who cares. The Browns could play at my old high school and I'd go.

 

[Pyro]

You know when I look at a scoreboard? When they show a replay.
You know when they show a replay? When something amazing happens.
You know when something amazing happens during a Browns game? Never, because we're the Browns.

 

[Nicky]

Stop bitching Corey. Damn.

Nobody wants to hear about your pointless complaints. Don't watch or go if you have no interest.

 

[Pyro]

Went to one Browns game and never wanted to return. And we won. Atmosphere is terrible. New scoreboards isn't going to change the atmosphere.

 

[Huber.]

Corey got into a skirmish and lost.

 

[Ocelot]

Could someone please make a coherent argument about how upgrades to inside the stadium are going to bring more people downtown?

If you check ticket master every Browns home game shows "Not many tickets left!" If games are already consistently selling out, or nearly so, why would amenities only available to ticket holders draw more people to the area? Are you genuinely expecting people to show up to tailgate without a ticket because of a killer new scoreboard?

If the goal is to get more people downtown it seems like organizing nearby watching parties for those without tickets would be a much more logical way to go.

You can argue that there has been a problem with no-show ticket holders, but it again seems unlikely that the concessions are going to get people to make the drive, shell out for parking, food and drinks if the product on the field is ass.

Seriously -- how does what is going to ultimately result in subtracting seats result in greater commerce for the surrounding area?

 

[Surge]

Corey, did you try a strongly-worded letter?

A winning product is the best atmosphere changer there is. That's what I'd be working on.

 

[BMAN]

It is exactly a 13 min walk to west 6th from the Stadium

Exactly, I made that walk in the beginning of the year when I tailgaited and it wasn't that bad. Though, I almost pissed myself on the way, but that's alright.

 

[Binkster]

Went to one Browns game and never wanted to return. And we won. Atmosphere is terrible. New scoreboards isn't going to change the atmosphere.

Aren't

 

[Huber.]

Exactly, I made that walk in the beginning of the year when I tailgaited and it wasn't that bad. Though, I almost pissed myself on the way, but that's alright.

Are you ever not drinking?

 

[Ruken]

I'm not advocating one way or the other, as I no longer reside in Cleveland. However, all recent research refutes what you are saying; Publicly funding stadiums for billionaires, and a non-profit organization like the NFL (i.e. non taxed organization), is slowly being proven to be one of the most fiscally irresponsible thing cities can do. There is a direct correlation between bankrupt cities and publicly funded stadiums; the dollars spent by citizens are never matched by the amount of "tourism" or "event" cash brought in by the stadium. These leagues rely on the fear of relocation in order to take advantage of working class and city dwellers. There is little doubt that investing in they city's infrastructure and education systems would be a far better long term plan to improve the city...but long term investments are never shiny and attractive; not to mention that elected city officials would be run out of town should we lose a sports franchise that is costing the city millions, and therefore do whatever is needed in the short-term to stay in office;

Even Jerry Jones, who self-funded his billion dollar stadium did so with the veil of a lifetime tax abatement...a lifetime tax abatement that the people of Arlington will pick up the slack for at the tune of $6M per year....

Essentially, the NFL specifically, and sports franchises in general, rely on people thinking you should pony up some of your hard earned working class dollars, in order to line the pockets of a few select billionaires.

First I am not advocating we foot the entire bill, the city cannot handle that type of burden in it's fiscal state. They real problem why stadiums don't seem to draw in downtown commerce is the lack of development in the pregame/tailgating atmosphere. Yea people will come to bars to watch the game or pregame in the munni lot but creating that buzz in the City is what generates the cash. Granted this couples with winning as well but deals with local restaurants and bars can also help facilitate this type of cash flow i.e drink specials and then a shuttle to the stadium.

And corey if you really think my argument consisted of big scoreboards draw more people...come on man