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Nationwide Arena/CBJ Finances Discussion II

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Speedy Sanderson said:
Arts Council's proposal for 7 percent ticket tax meets opposition at first forum

Sounds like there will be a new scoreboard in the next few years.....assuming this ticket tax is passed by Council and isn't shot down in a potential referendum.
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There's some work to be done on that, and they just had the first public forum to discuss it last night. It comes off as a tax on small clubs and galleries (in addition to big-time shows) that will be used to subsidize the arena. That's bad optics in a town that's trying to carve itself an image as an arts incubator.
 
Double-Shift Lasse said:
There's some work to be done on that, and they just had the first public forum to discuss it last night. It comes off as a tax on small clubs and galleries (in addition to big-time shows) that will be used to subsidize the arena. That's bad optics in a town that's trying to carve itself an image as an arts incubator.
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I think they went big with this initial proposal and eventually the percentage will be lowered, or the tax will only apply to events in the Arena District.
 
Oh, and I don't seem to remember any complaints about the lines or serving sizes at "Free Food Night" this past year at Nationwide. I'm hoping/assuming they got their shit together and you boys and girls got an acceptable "fill".
 
Speedy Sanderson said:
I think they went big with this initial proposal and eventually the percentage will be lowered, or the tax will only apply to events in the Arena District.
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Why don't they do the right thing and just charge the users at Nationwide arena? Don't tax concerts at the LC to pay for Nationwide upgrades.
Will make it even tougher to buy tickets at Nationwide if it's a 10% tax only events. $70 ticket + $12 in ticket bastard fees plus $7 in taxes will be looking at $90 a pop for lower corners.
 
Lots of cities finance the arts with a tax or surcharge of this nature. In that way, this is no different. IMO it’s a good thing, although I realize others will fairly disagree.

But using some of that funding as a cash bump for a financially troubled public arena is a bad look, and where this plan, as it looks now, is different from others. I’m not even saying it’s wrong... Nationwide does host concerts and other arts events. But the financial history of the arena makes this look like a cash grab, taking it from community organizations that are ‘supposed to be’ the ones benefiting.

That’s why the nature of the proposal will change before it’s enacted.
 
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Double-Shift Lasse said:
Lots of cities finance the arts with a tax or surcharge of this nature. In that way, this is no different. IMO it’s a good thing, although I realize others will fairly disagree.

But using some of that funding as a cash bump for a financially troubled public arena is a bad look, and where this plan, as it looks now, is different from others. I’m not even saying it’s wrong... Nationwide does host concerts and other arts events. But the financial history of the arena makes this look like a cash grab, taking it from community organizations that are ‘supposed to be’ the ones benefiting.

That’s why the nature of the proposal will change before it’s enacted.
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Good points. It feels like changes need to occur, but I'm not sure how other than dropping the percentage.

Leaving Nationwide Arena out of the proposal as a source of fee revenue would be cutting out what would probably be the largest single contributor, but I suspect Nationwide's stance would be that if it is included, it's going to get its nut specifically for its needs. Tough spot. Feels like organizations that truly could use the funding are going to be tossed out alongside Nationwide.
 
I'd have a tough time kicking in an additional 250-300 dollars for CBJ tix if it went that route. Imagine where that would drive the cost of playoff tix. On the concert side I can't see adding additional fees on top of already high prices for top end shows. Ticketmaster already gouges us bad enough.
 
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How about a 100% service fee for events at Value City Arena that aren't related to college and high school events, as the original agreement to allow construction of that venue clearly stipulated? How about taking the revenue from the luxury boxes that Value City Arena isn't supposed to have (for the same reason) and putting that toward improvements?

It's unbelievable that no one has the balls to actually force Ohio State to abide by the terms of the original agreements instead of letting them continue to treat the city as their own fiefdom that they simply allow the CBJ to exist in.
 
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Is anyone well-versed in the laws regarding why college events are exempt from such a proposal? Would be a lot easier to stomach if this was structured as 2-3% on all events (yes...including college football) that take place in the city. Again, as the Mayor said above, regardless of any law that exists the answer may be as simple as OSU having the keys to the kingdom in their back pocket.

Bottom line in this deal for the city is that the CBJ fans should be the primary bearers of the tax as it's their team's burdensome arena that is making this a necessity. Let's not forget, though, it was the Nationwide and Wolfe camps who created this situation in the first place by driving the casino out of the Arena District to nowhereville out west. Franklin County took the bait like chumps and the rest is history. Regardless of where the blame falls in all of this farce, it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that the CBJ fans get the shaft yet again.
 
It seems like Nationwide and the City are taking a dump on taxpayers and CBJ season ticketholders. 15,000 Day-One PSL holders paid an average of around $2,000 per seat (around $30 million) to help fund the arena, now we're being asked to kick in another $250-500 per year? Yet Nationwide was gifted basically the entire arena district and gets to dump their one money pit while keeping all the hotels, parking garages, restaurants, condos, and office space they lease. And how is the city suffering? Aren't they taxing the income of every hockey player and entertainer that performs in NWA? What about income/real estate tax generated from a district of hotels, restaurants, bars, apartments and offices that 20 years ago was a giant wasteland of gravel lots and empty buildings? What about the influx of revenue to the city from being able to host bigger conferences due to the hotels brought in by the arena district. It just comes across as the city and Nationwide panhandling while they funnel their arena district revenue in other pockets.
 
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STH received the following email from Mike Priest.

"As you may be aware, the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) has proposed a 7 percent admissions tax be applied to tickets to arts, culture, entertainment and professional sports in the city of Columbus with 70 percent of the ticket fee proceeds going to the GCAC and 30 percent to Nationwide Arena for capital expenditures. The Franklin County Convention Facility Authority, which owns the arena, is also involved in the proposal.

While this is not a Blue Jackets proposal, we are keenly aware of its potential impact on you. Because of this, we have enlisted Saperstein Associates, Inc., an independent market research firm, to engage our fans and seek feedback on the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s admissions tax proposal.

Our club is currently engaged in discussions about the proposal. It is our desire to best represent your interests in those discussions, which is why I encourage you to participate in this survey when contacted. The subject line of the email is Blue Jackets Survey.

Should an admissions tax be inevitable in Columbus, our efforts will be focused on doing what is best for you and our organization. Thank you for your continued support of Blue Jackets hockey."
 
thebus88 said:
Oh, and I don't seem to remember any complaints about the lines or serving sizes at "Free Food Night" this past year at Nationwide. I'm hoping/assuming they got their **** together and you boys and girls got an acceptable "fill".
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Starting last year there is no free food night. The free food has been moved to the STH Meet the Team event.
 
I know it's probably the right thing but I'm against it especially since they don't tax OSU.
For me I enjoy going to CBJ games. But prices go up 4-5% every year. I assume they will keep ticket prices neutral next year and just tack on the tax.
Bottom line is the CBJ should be paying some rent for the arena. Nothing else brng on another title sponsor and use that funding to upkeep arena. Instead they neglected it (CBJ/Nationwide and now the City) and now need a way to pay for it.
 
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