Ballparks and stadiums often end up costing more than initially projected. Things happen, costs spiral and the optimism of the groundbreaking eventually gives way to the realities of construction schedules.
In Texas they haven’t even turned one shovel of dirt on the Rangers new ballpark yet, but it’s already costing taxpayers more than they were initially told it would. Not because of cost overruns, however, but because the taxpayers were basically lied to.
As this report from WFAA-TV makes clear, the Rangers and public officials sold the new stadium as a 50-50 split between the team and taxpayers. It turns out, however, that a big chunk of tax revenue -- ticket and parking taxes which almost always go to the government and are used to fund the public’s share of a stadium project -- are being handed over to the Rangers who will us it to fund their “50 percent” share. As Barry Petchesky of Deadspin characterizes it:
It’s rare that anything in these publicly-financed ballpark deals surprises me anymore. But this one actually surprises me. The audacity of the cash grab/giveaway and the contempt officials have for the public in selling this as a 50-50 split is simply remarkable.
