Under oath, stadium truths are revealed

Supporters of a professional baseball stadium at McHenry County College need to look at Seattle, where the SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association want out of their city stadium lease.

The team said the following, under oath, in a federal court filing the week of Jan. 14: "The financial issue is simple, and the city's analysts agree, there will be no net economic loss if the Sonics leave Seattle. . . Seattleites will not reduce their entertainment budget simply because the Sonics leave."

This is what nearly all independent researchers and sports economists have been saying about professional sports. They deliver little or no net economic benefit.

The irony is, the Sonics received millions of dollars of subsidies after a public relations campaign that argued professional sports teams bring big benefits to a community.

Those statements were never made under oath.

Stadium boosters in McHenry County should ask which statements to believe. Ones made in a self-serving public relations campaign? Or ones made under oath in a federal court?

Steve Stanek

McHenry