Sometimes critics go overboard on stadium funding debates, but this is just insane:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/11/report-the-braves-are-leaving-turner-field-after-the-2016-season/


The Braves are leaving Turner Field after the 2016 season


The Marietta Daily Journal reports — and the Braves have since confirmed — that they are moving to a new, suburban ballpark after the 2016 season. The new park will be in Cobb County, near the intersection of I-75 and I-285. The move is occasioned by the end their 20 year lease agreement for Turner Field, which expires at the end of the 2016 season.

This move is completely unexpected. Turner Field, which is a retrofit of the Olympic stadium from the 1996 summer games, has only housed the Braves since 1997. There is nothing about it that is obsolete or lacking for baseball. It’s a bit big and the Braves don’t draw as well as teams who have been as successful as they have been should draw, but that speaks to the nature and popularity of baseball in Atlanta — and a bit about Atlanta geography and demographics — not the ballpark.
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Turner Field is not even 18 years old. While it was built first to host the Olympics, it was designed ultimately as a baseball-only ballpark, meaning its size, dimensions and sightlines were ideal for baseball (baseball-football combination stadiums have pretty much become a thing of the past, as owners of the teams in each respective sport were not fond of sharing with one another). It has plenty of luxury boxes capable of brining in high revenues. It has received upgrades in recent years, such as larger scoreboards and premium home plate seating.

There are some teams that have moved into new stadiums where it could be argued that given the current economic realities the team needed a new stadium if it were to stay in that city. Either because the stadium was very old with very little modern amenities, or that the stadium it was playing in was ill-equipped for that sport.

Turner Field is neither of those.

I'm left scratching my head at this one, except for the argument that it's nothing more than "white flight" at play. See, apparently Turner Field is in lower income minority neighborhood with lots of scary dark people. So the Braves decide they are better suited for some generic suburb far away from their namesake city so not to upset their cloistered fanbase.

And for the record here, I love baseball. As in I'm super passionate about baseball. And there are times where a new stadium may legitimately be called for. This is not one of those times, however.

[gopiscrap]

1. FUCK TURNER, FUCK THE BRAVES

I can't stand when fucking multi millionaire or billionaire owners cry and whine and threaten to get a new park etc. Fuck that it is a private business, then let them fund it themselves which I don't particularly like either. MY attitude is that if a sports team represents a city then it should be owned by the city/county and revenues and expenses should go to the city/county.

[MythosMaster]

2. Cobb County Braves?

Doesn't have the same ring to it...

More billionaires with their hands out...

[NightWatcher]

3. yes, cause Cobb Parkway has such a smooth traffic flow and no congestion

So glad I'm far away from that area now. That is going to mess up that whole area.

[Blue_Tires]

4. This HAS to be a bluff....

[rurallib]

5. Public financing you ask? But of course

UPDATE #2: The Atlanta Journal Constitution is now reporting (no named sources, just “we’re told”) that the Cobb County stadium would involve $450 million in public money, $200 million from the team.

UPDATE #3: Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says $450 million in subsidies for the Braves is too rich for his blood, and he “wishes them well.”

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2013/11/11/6174/report-braves-to-announce-plans-for-new-stadium-in-cobb-county/