J.C. Bradbury
@jcbradbury.com
Economist, Georgian, Gadfly
Stadium Subsidies, Film Incentives, Local Economic Development, Sports Economics
Tariffs bad. Vaccines good.
*If I block you, you deserved it.*
jcbradbury.com
Stadium Subsidies, Film Incentives, Local Economic Development, Sports Economics
Tariffs bad. Vaccines good.
*If I block you, you deserved it.*
jcbradbury.com
Pinned
J.C. Bradbury
@jcbradbury.com
· 23d
Cover just dropped. Coming in 2026 from Oxford University Press.
Good grief. This is the document being used to claim that the Detroit minor-league soccer stadium will generate a $25 mil economic impact *per year*. It's nothing but ridiculous assertions. Reporting this as some sort of credible assessment is negligence. detroitmigov.app.box.com/v/DCFC-CBO-R...
November 29, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Good grief. This is the document being used to claim that the Detroit minor-league soccer stadium will generate a $25 mil economic impact *per year*. It's nothing but ridiculous assertions. Reporting this as some sort of credible assessment is negligence. detroitmigov.app.box.com/v/DCFC-CBO-R...
I've come to the conclusion that journalism has fundamentally changed. The expectation that media members are supposed to inform readers is a vestige of the past. It's now up to knowledgeable individuals to spread correct information outside traditional outlets.
November 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I've come to the conclusion that journalism has fundamentally changed. The expectation that media members are supposed to inform readers is a vestige of the past. It's now up to knowledgeable individuals to spread correct information outside traditional outlets.
There's almost nothing dumber than subsidizing a minor-league soccer stadium. Here's a live look-in at politicians reviewing the evidence.
November 28, 2025 at 2:24 PM
There's almost nothing dumber than subsidizing a minor-league soccer stadium. Here's a live look-in at politicians reviewing the evidence.
12 years ago today, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners agreed to devote $300 million of taxpayer dollars to build Truist Park. 15 days elapsed between the announcement of the plan and its approval.
November 27, 2025 at 12:50 AM
12 years ago today, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners agreed to devote $300 million of taxpayer dollars to build Truist Park. 15 days elapsed between the announcement of the plan and its approval.
Alternate headline: Chicago Architecture Center report just makes shit up.
Chicago Architecture Center report outlines how city can score with new stadium developments
A working group spent three months studying stadium developments across the U.S. to see what worked and what failed and found the ideal stadium district was in Chicago.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Alternate headline: Chicago Architecture Center report just makes shit up.
Shocker. The public stadium funding plan isn't generating enough revenue to cover the County's cost obligation, so collections that were supposed to be rebated to taxpayers have to go to the stadium.
www.cincinnati.com/story/news/p...
www.cincinnati.com/story/news/p...
County proposal would leave property owners paying more taxes
Hamilton County commissioners could vote on whether property owners will get money back at their meeting on Dec. 2
www.cincinnati.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Shocker. The public stadium funding plan isn't generating enough revenue to cover the County's cost obligation, so collections that were supposed to be rebated to taxpayers have to go to the stadium.
www.cincinnati.com/story/news/p...
www.cincinnati.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by J.C. Bradbury
If Hamilton Co board approves the rec $5m rebate, it will drop the nom cumulative rebate (1997 through 2026) to 72% of what was promised in 1996. County voters were (verbally) promised $650m but will get $473m. The best way to get a ptax break? Own a sports team. www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/n...
County property tax rebate looks to take a major hit; new Bengals lease a factor - Cincinnati Business Courier
Homeowners in 2025 received the full 30% rebate from the stadium sales tax. County administrators are looking to slash that figure for 2026.
www.bizjournals.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
If Hamilton Co board approves the rec $5m rebate, it will drop the nom cumulative rebate (1997 through 2026) to 72% of what was promised in 1996. County voters were (verbally) promised $650m but will get $473m. The best way to get a ptax break? Own a sports team. www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/n...
Reposted by J.C. Bradbury
When I was a baby lawyer doing contracts work, it was beaten into my head to never, never, never allow a client to agree to use "best efforts" under any circumstances. "Best efforts" are often construed to require nearly everything short of selling your first-born.
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
When I was a baby lawyer doing contracts work, it was beaten into my head to never, never, never allow a client to agree to use "best efforts" under any circumstances. "Best efforts" are often construed to require nearly everything short of selling your first-born.
Because if there's anyone who deserves taxpayer subsidies to support its business, it's a luxury car manufacturer.
new Georgia state grant just dropped, $3.5 million to mercedes in Fulton County
I'll post the docs when I get them #gapol
georgia.org/about-us/geo...
I'll post the docs when I get them #gapol
georgia.org/about-us/geo...
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Because if there's anyone who deserves taxpayer subsidies to support its business, it's a luxury car manufacturer.
Cleveland's city council is right to push back against this rush agreement. It's not a masterfully negotiated salvage deal that is "making lemonade out of lemons" from losing the Browns to the suburbs, as it is being described by backers. www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...
City Council wants tweaks before approving Bibb’s $100M Browns stadium settlement
Cleveland City Council won’t rush to vote on Mayor Justin Bibb’s $100 million settlement with the Browns.
www.cleveland.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Cleveland's city council is right to push back against this rush agreement. It's not a masterfully negotiated salvage deal that is "making lemonade out of lemons" from losing the Browns to the suburbs, as it is being described by backers. www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...
People walking through the plane aisle: "I'm allowed to hit seated passengers with my butt &/ backpack. Right?"
November 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
People walking through the plane aisle: "I'm allowed to hit seated passengers with my butt &/ backpack. Right?"
The mug is round. The jar is round. They should call it Roundtine.
November 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The mug is round. The jar is round. They should call it Roundtine.
Another barren parking lot next to a sports venue (Tampa). Yes, there is some development nearby but it's got nothing to do with the arena.
November 23, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Another barren parking lot next to a sports venue (Tampa). Yes, there is some development nearby but it's got nothing to do with the arena.
Just arrived in Tampa... putting on shorts.
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Just arrived in Tampa... putting on shorts.
It's a bad sign when an elected leader pledges his life to ensure that the government will undertake an ill-fated boondoggle project.
Mayor Mike Johnston says he won't let Denver Summit FC's soccer stadium be built in another place: "Over my dead body"
Mayor Mike Johnston says he's going to do everything he can to keep the Denver Summit FC stadium in the city.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 12:57 PM
It's a bad sign when an elected leader pledges his life to ensure that the government will undertake an ill-fated boondoggle project.
WTF, this headline? Nevada lawmakers reject plan to use taxpayer dollars to subsidize film production. www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
And… cut! Nevada lawmakers narrowly reject plan to lure movie projects to Vegas
A seven-day special session wrapped in Nevada’s capital with a major proposal to offer tax credits to film studios failing, and the governor’s sweeping crime legislation passing
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:53 AM
WTF, this headline? Nevada lawmakers reject plan to use taxpayer dollars to subsidize film production. www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
I can barely believe this is real. Simply embarrassing.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
November 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I can barely believe this is real. Simply embarrassing.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
Nothing like waking up to good news.
Nevada Senate rejects film tax credit expansion, killing marquee bill of special session - The Nevada Independent
The rejection of the bill — which sets aside $120 million in annual transferable tax credits to film studios for 15 years beginning in 2029 — caps a yearslong effort from major film studios to vastly…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Nothing like waking up to good news.
I can relate: "Higher levels of opposition to a scientific consensus are associated with lower levels of actual scientific knowledge, higher self-assessments of knowledge, and more knowledge overconfidence."
I'm amazed not just by dumb things people say, but the confidence with which they say them.
I'm amazed not just by dumb things people say, but the confidence with which they say them.
November 20, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I can relate: "Higher levels of opposition to a scientific consensus are associated with lower levels of actual scientific knowledge, higher self-assessments of knowledge, and more knowledge overconfidence."
I'm amazed not just by dumb things people say, but the confidence with which they say them.
I'm amazed not just by dumb things people say, but the confidence with which they say them.
Oof, this is not flattering of Manfred.
After near-billion-dollar blunder, MLB’s Rob Manfred puts on rally cap with new TV deals
MLB rallied from its spring snafu with its TV rights into a solid foundation for the next three years and beyond.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Oof, this is not flattering of Manfred.
