Re: the May 18 column "Surprise, surprise - hockey deal protects city."
Tim Steller's column portrays two important aspects of the relationship between professional sports and taxpayer-funded governments. The answer to building new professional sports facilities is easy. Place the burden entirely on those who benefit financially.
Each player contributes ten percent of their salary, matched by owners, to a building fund. When that sport franchise thinks they need a new stadium/arena, they will have the start-up financial reserves to begin their project to include land purchase and all facilities and infrastructure. If the reserve is not enough to start in 30 years, too bad. They just have to wait.
With the salaries owners now pay, the players and owners combined should be responsible for any new stadium/arena without taxpayer participation. No taxpayer should ever have to put a penny into a professional sports building project. There are many more purposeful needs.
Dave Cartun
Bisbee
