Not All Sports Stadiums Are Built with Taxpayer Dollars

[MineralMan]

Allianz Field in St. Paul, MN is finally finished and had its opening yesterday. Now, I don't follow professional soccer, and will probably never attend an event at that sports venue. Neither will I go to the NFL stadium in Minneapolis. The difference between those two facilities, though, is important. US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis was built and half paid for with taxpayer money. It cost about $1 Billion to build, and we paid for half of that, although most Twin Cities Metro Area taxpayers will never attend an event there. Most of the money comes from a new tax on tobacco products. Notably, no smoking will ever be allowed anywhere in or near U.S. Bank stadium. So, take that, you nasty smokers and vapers!

Allianz Field, on the other hand, cost about $200 Million, none of which came from taxpayer money. Here's a cool time-lapse video of its construction, which takes just over 30 seconds to view. Go Loons!

[Ohiogal]

1. Pretty cool, MM

How was Allianz Field paid for?

So they got rid of that liquor store!!!!

[MineralMan]

2. I think the team's owners paid for it themselves.

I'm not certain, but I do know that no tax dollars were used. Like I said, I don't follow professional soccer, but I do follow construction of costly stadiums I have to pay for. I appreciate facilities I don't have to pay for, since I won't every go to them.

[watoos]

3. Taxpayers will eventually pay for all of it.

[MineralMan]

4. Yes, but not through taxation.

I won't go there, so I won't pay. I like that.

[WeekiWater]

5. Third try is a charm for state tax breaks to help build St. Paul soccer stadium

https://www.twincities.com/2017/05/30/united-soccer-third-try-is-a-charm-for-state-tax-breaks-to-help-build-stadium-legislature-minnesota/

[MineralMan]

6. There were some infrastructure costs for sure.

I believe there were also some tax exemptions involved. But no money went to construction.