A Comprehensive Analysis of Subsidies for Professional Sports Stadiums in the United States using the Moda Center

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Date

2020

Authors

Quinton, Dawson Xavier

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

Sports are deeply engrained within the culture of the United States, and professional sports at its highest level generates immense levels of revenue. These sports, however, are played within grand arena’s that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to construct. Part of the burden of these massive stadium costs is placed upon the relevant taxpayers. In theory, these public subsidies incentivize the building of stadiums because they bring a significant economic benefit to the local economy. This thesis aims to better understand if professional sports stadiums provide an economic impact that is more than the amount of public financing they have received. Using an in-depth analysis of Portland, Oregon’s professional sports stadium the Moda Center as a template, to analyze the unique aspects of both the subsidy itself as well as the economic impact of the stadium. This thesis provides a crude model to any municipality hoping to understand if they should provide a subsidy for a stadium, and if so the acceptable amount of the subsidy.

Description

31 pages

Keywords

Economics, Sports, Moda Center, Stadiums, Professional Sports, Subsidies

Citation