Taxpaying fans have footed the bill for billionaires far too long.  Local and state governments often hand over to sports team owners cash, tax subsidies, or tax exemptions to help construct or renovate new stadiums. These agreements hardly yield any positive benefit to the taxpayer or the fans. There’s little to no economic benefit, taxpayers don’t receive discounts or reasonable ticket and concession prices, and local citizens, like high school or youth league sports teams, usually can’t use the stadium at an affordable rate. New sports stadiums can be a great thing for fans, and we know that while not ideal, public funds can be a big help to these projects-- we just want the fans and taxpayers to get a fair return on their money. Sports Fans Coalition, therefore, demands that if an owner or league receives any public benefit from taxpayers, the fans get the following in return:

• Reasonable concession prices

• Discounts for taxpayers

• Discounts for public servants like military, teachers, and nurses

• Low-income fan seating options

• Free use for public schools and youth league games

• A pledge the team will not leave its local community for at least 20 years

If our taxes go into the pockets of billionaire team owners, the fans and public should get a fair deal in return.