Leaderboard

Yup. Disgusting!!! But...no different than anything else involving big money and profits and greed in North American politics and economics. Yes. Even in Canada. Although the Molson Center, now Bell Center, where the Montreal Canadiens play hockey was entirely funded by private monies. The Molson center now the Bell center, was funded ENTIRELY by the Molson family. The beer company who owns the Montreal Canadiens. Who have owned the Montreal Canadiens for a very long time on two occasions. Including all the training faculties for the Montreal Canadiens. The Montreal Expos, if they were to come back, WILL be funded by private monies. The purchase AND the construction of a baseball field. Contrary to what news is out there saying otherwise. The city of Montreal and the Province of Quebec, all political leaders that have been elected to those positions have ALL stated that NO public monies will be given for a possible return of an MLB franchise in Montreal. And ALL Montrealers all agree. And the possible ownership groups and owners involved for a possible return of an MLB team all agree to NOT accept public funds. But...they do require the government to allow the return of an MLB team. Example. Allow government owned land to be bought or leased or even given for a stadium to be built. The city of Montreal to allow pubic transportation to be available and have access points at the stadium etc... One reason why the Expos left Montreal in the first place was BECAUSE the government of Quebec REFUSED to bail out the Montreal Expos and allow public funds to be used for a new stadium downtown. Good decision in my opinion. But that does not mean that Montreal lost some tourist dollars because the Expos were not in town anymore. But that does not mean that billionaires should be asking for tax payer money to fund their projects either. That just means at the very least, billionaire sport team projects should be a PARTNERSHIP between the city/state/province, the citizens of the area and the ownership groups. But in MOST cases, I agree, it does not exist. Greed...a terrible thing. Awesome that your son went as far as he did!!! The Olympics are the WORST for what we are talking about. Pure greed. And yes, its not JUST an American thing. Its a GLOBAL thing. But pro sport teams are more prevalent in the US with billionaire values of pro sports teams in MLB, NHL, NBA, NFL, MLS, girls teams in hockey and basketball, university and college football, baseball, basketball and now even hockey. In Europe, while soccer leagues and teams have just as much worth as American/Canadian ones, there is simply not as many pro sport leagues and teams in Europe. But it happens there too.