But it isn't "brand new" enough...
Just saw that Arthur Blank, the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, managed to con the city of Atlanta into partially funding a new stadium for him.
According to the release, $200 million will come from taxation on things such as hotel rooms. $800 million will come from Blank himself. I guess that gift makes Blank into a bona-fide Rockefeller.
I won't go into the fact that, since Blank was easily able to put up 80% of the bill, then he could just as easily put up 100%. That's too easy.
Nor will I say what you and I both know: it won't stop at $200 million. Somehow, he'll get more out of the city. How? By holding the city hostage. NFL teams are a cash cow. The owners make tons of tons of money. (Not a typo). Cities make money off them. The fans make the city happier overall. Everyone's honky-dory. It's an REM music video.
No, what bothers me is something that sounds silly.
Why does Atlanta need a new stadium?
Think about it. The GeorgiaDome was built in 1992. I was fortunate enough to be in one of the first events ever held there: a national [religion withheld] youth gathering. More than 30,000 screaming, manners-challenged hormone bags running loose in Atlanta. Ah, the good old days.
Point is, the dome was new. And, really, it still is. There aren't any major problems with it. There's been the occasional partial renovation. But that's it. No, it's a victim of the idea that it's not "new enough."
The city of Indianapolis just went through the same thing. They willingly shelled out millions to build a new stadium because the ancient, decrepid RCA Dome was -- gasp -- 35 years old!
I didn't realize 35 years was old for a stadium built to last -- this is a quote -- "100 years or 100 wars." Sadly, it didn't live to see either.
This sounds like an old fogey talking, but, well, they don't make stadiums the way they used to. Old Comiskey Park lasted nearly 90 years. Tiger Stadium lasted even longer. Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are still there, and they were built before my grandparents were born.
New stadiums are good. They're comfy. They have state-of-the-art things like divided seat warmers to heat each bun independently, or a cell-phone access that allows you to "like" the upcoming play call the head coach just beamed into cyberspace, or wherever. But, where's the character?
Please, don't tell Chicago that 21 years is "old" for a stadium. And please don't tell my kids, either. I'm almost twice that.
