The Potential $150 Million Waste

The University of Washington and its football team are looking to make substantial improvements to Husky Stadium. The improvements to the stadium will cost an estimated $300 million. The Husky football club, Tyee, will by working to fundraise half of the $300 million. Meanwhile, the University of Washington will be seeking the remaining $150 million in tax money this coming budget cycle. The University is proposing that the money come from continuation the tourist taxes on hotels, rental cars, etc. that exist to pay for both Safeco and Qwest Fields.

The request comes shortly after an Olympia announcement regarding a potential $5.1 billion budget deficit in the state. The University and Husky football supporters claim that the renovation will work to increase revenue brought in by the football team by providing a better experience for fans while also creating jobs in an economically slow time. Their claim is that the stadium renovation will be far more valuable then the $150 million that is costs the state.

The University football team does bring in the most revenue of all the school different programs. Almost 80% of the revenue from the sports department comes from the football program. However, the benefits of a new stadium are more easily argued when the team using the stadium is not one of the worst division one football programs in the country. A better and less expensive way for the University to increase revenue from its football program would be to field a half way competent team. Losing teams do not bring fans to game and teams that do not even keep games close bring even less. Some may argue that a better stadium would bring better recruits, but better coaching and smart recruiting have much more of an effect then a stadium.

As to the creation of jobs, renovating Husky Stadium would do just that. However, building more mass transit, investing in green energy plants, and many other possible civil projects would also create jobs. These projects also have the added benefit of helping everyone in the community rather then a small niche of Husky football supporters. Additionally, jobs created by Husky stadium will only last as long as the construction of the stadium, while smart investment into the right civil projects can create much longer lasting employment opportunities.

The state should find better more universally beneficial ways to spend our tax dollars. Spending $150 million on the renovation of a football stadium during an economic downturn is not the best use of or states tax dollars.

Sources: Seattle Times