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
When Rob Baumann and I looked into a prominent consultant model being used to erroneously project large economic returns (to justify significant public funding) we presented ways such an investigation *could* be done correctly, but that won't happen. journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
November 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
When Rob Baumann and I looked into a prominent consultant model being used to erroneously project large economic returns (to justify significant public funding) we presented ways such an investigation *could* be done correctly, but that won't happen. journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
In fact, scholarly investigations of these models demonstrate how and why they are largely flawed. For example, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
In fact, scholarly investigations of these models demonstrate how and why they are largely flawed. For example, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
So, you say, "this one will be different," huh?
November 29, 2025 at 10:57 PM
So, you say, "this one will be different," huh?
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...
The $25 million econ impact is nonsense concocted by project supporters, yet it's repeated in the "news" story as if it's a reasonable expectation. This is a major reason why such boondoggle projects continue to be approved. Journalists *have* to do better than this. @wxyzdetroit.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The $25 million econ impact is nonsense concocted by project supporters, yet it's repeated in the "news" story as if it's a reasonable expectation. This is a major reason why such boondoggle projects continue to be approved. Journalists *have* to do better than this. @wxyzdetroit.bsky.social
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.
The saddest part is the parade of local leaders and politicians lining up to praise this ridiculous obvious boondoggle of a project.
www.cobbcounty.gov/news/cobb-ho...
www.cobbcounty.gov/news/cobb-ho...
November 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The saddest part is the parade of local leaders and politicians lining up to praise this ridiculous obvious boondoggle of a project.
www.cobbcounty.gov/news/cobb-ho...
www.cobbcounty.gov/news/cobb-ho...
This "best efforts" language needs to be struck from the deal immediately. It's a non-starter. Weasel words like these are frequently inserted in stadium deals as a back door to access unspecified taxpayer funds in the future. The Browns plan to exploit what "best efforts" means.
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
This "best efforts" language needs to be struck from the deal immediately. It's a non-starter. Weasel words like these are frequently inserted in stadium deals as a back door to access unspecified taxpayer funds in the future. The Browns plan to exploit what "best efforts" means.
Extending the lease is a key part of the deal. If the new stadium doesn't arrive on time, the Browns will need a place to play. This deal keeps its sweetheart deal in place for 2 years, and hosting games is a net fiscal loss to the City (~ -$2 mil/yr). www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Extending the lease is a key part of the deal. If the new stadium doesn't arrive on time, the Browns will need a place to play. This deal keeps its sweetheart deal in place for 2 years, and hosting games is a net fiscal loss to the City (~ -$2 mil/yr). www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...
To the contrary, the City has tremendous leverage here. The Haslams are not doing this out of charity. If they wanted to do so, they could just write a check as a gesture of good will to the city they abandoned. They are seeking concessions for things they need.
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
To the contrary, the City has tremendous leverage here. The Haslams are not doing this out of charity. If they wanted to do so, they could just write a check as a gesture of good will to the city they abandoned. They are seeking concessions for things they need.
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.
Close, but not quite.
From Dean Baim's book "The Sports Stadium as a Municipal Investment"
From Dean Baim's book "The Sports Stadium as a Municipal Investment"
November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Close, but not quite.
From Dean Baim's book "The Sports Stadium as a Municipal Investment"
From Dean Baim's book "The Sports Stadium as a Municipal Investment"
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...
Uh, I'm not sure how you argue that. Simply put, if you supported this policy, you are either an idiot or in on the scam... probably both.
November 20, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Uh, I'm not sure how you argue that. Simply put, if you supported this policy, you are either an idiot or in on the scam... probably both.