[Iconic SR]

This is kinda a HUGE if, don’t you think?

“As noted, a stadium can spur economic growth if sports is a significant export industry—that is, if it attracts outsiders to buy the local product and if it results in the sale of certain rights (broadcasting, product licensing) to national firms.”

That’s like saying a car is fast, if it goes fast. These articles are nothing but blubbering from eggheads who don’t like sports. They want government funding for other things, thus their bias. 

[PTBO Dave]

Exactly. Those in the Maritimes, particularly the Halifax region should be hollering for this to happen ASAP and for all levels of government to help cost share to some degree in the stadium development. Even a senior citizen who has no interest in attending events at the stadium will benefit - because their greatest need as they age (healthcare budgets) will increase from the new tax revenues that didn’t exist prior. Even their day to day hospital facilities and services will improve - as these facilities must be prepared for potential catastrophes occurring wherever 30,000 people regularly gather.

Once weighing the pros and cons - there isn’t a down side to a CFL team and new stadium in Halifax.

It's been proven time and time again that sports stadiums have no positive economic impact on cities.

Please provide evidence of this proof.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/sports-jobs-taxes-are-new-stadiums-worth-the-cost/

http://thesportdigest.com/archive/article/economic-impact-sports-facilities

https://news.stanford.edu/2015/07/30/stadium-economics-noll-073015/

This is from the middle link above:

Many argue that there are numerous benefits to constructing new sports facilities. Opponents, on the other hand, are very quick to point out that the benefits may not outweigh the costs. There have been several economic studies to support both viewpoints. Often overlooked, there are many intangible benefits to the community that should also be considered. A professional baseball team, for example, often encourages a sense of pride and civic duty in the community (Coates & Humphreys, 2004).

[letsgoticats]

Exactly. Those in the Maritimes, particularly the Halifax region should be hollering for this to happen ASAP and for all levels of government to help cost share to some degree in the stadium development. Even a senior citizen who has no interest in attending events at the stadium will benefit - because their greatest need as they age (healthcare budgets) will increase from the new tax revenues that didn’t exist prior. Even their day to day hospital facilities and services will improve - as these facilities must be prepared for potential catastrophes occurring wherever 30,000 people regularly gather.

Once weighing the pros and cons - there isn’t a down side to a CFL team and new stadium in Halifax.

It's been proven time and time again that sports stadiums have no positive economic impact on cities.

Please provide evidence of this proof.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/sports-jobs-taxes-are-new-stadiums-worth-the-cost/

http://thesportdigest.com/archive/article/economic-impact-sports-facilities

https://news.stanford.edu/2015/07/30/stadium-economics-noll-073015/

This is from the middle link above:

Many argue that there are numerous benefits to constructing new sports facilities. Opponents, on the other hand, are very quick to point out that the benefits may not outweigh the costs. There have been several economic studies to support both viewpoints. Often overlooked, there are many intangible benefits to the community that should also be considered. A professional baseball team, for example, often encourages a sense of pride and civic duty in the community (Coates & Humphreys, 2004).

I did mention the intangible benefits in my post, which is why I still believe the government should be giving money to the stadium.

Overall, I think a team and stadium in Halifax is a great idea.   I just don't think it'll provide anywhere near the economic growth some posters here are projecting.    

[Iconic SR]

We may be surprised. I don't believe there is anything on record of any city anywhere that chose to NOT allow a pro sports franchise to set up shop in town. They allow it, grant licenses and permits etc - because the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

[brianjoxx]

Exactly. Those in the Maritimes, particularly the Halifax region should be hollering for this to happen ASAP and for all levels of government to help cost share to some degree in the stadium development. Even a senior citizen who has no interest in attending events at the stadium will benefit - because their greatest need as they age (healthcare budgets) will increase from the new tax revenues that didn’t exist prior. Even their day to day hospital facilities and services will improve - as these facilities must be prepared for potential catastrophes occurring wherever 30,000 people regularly gather.

Once weighing the pros and cons - there isn’t a down side to a CFL team and new stadium in Halifax.

It's been proven time and time again that sports stadiums have no positive economic impact on cities.

Please provide evidence of this proof.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/sports-jobs-taxes-are-new-stadiums-worth-the-cost/

http://thesportdigest.com/archive/article/economic-impact-sports-facilities

https://news.stanford.edu/2015/07/30/stadium-economics-noll-073015/

This is from the middle link above:

Many argue that there are numerous benefits to constructing new sports facilities. Opponents, on the other hand, are very quick to point out that the benefits may not outweigh the costs. There have been several economic studies to support both viewpoints. Often overlooked, there are many intangible benefits to the community that should also be considered. A professional baseball team, for example, often encourages a sense of pride and civic duty in the community (Coates & Humphreys, 2004).

I did mention the intangible benefits in my post, which is why I still believe the government should be giving money to the stadium.

Overall, I think a team and stadium in Halifax is a great idea.   I just don't think it'll provide anywhere near the economic growth some posters here are projecting.    

Totally Agree. IT MAY help the city/area. IT MAY help!!! It would help any city in Canada BUT
THIS a PRO LEAGUE not a we should be included even if we have NO big following, sponsorship ,or owners, or money in the bank. Open up the deal!!! Give every place a chance to bid.
May shock the 4 or 6 that post, we want a team east because their east. Thats a big draw to the CFL teams, image the draw in west or TO. Halifax is coming to town. Quote" Vegas will never make it in NHL" so Halifax would be a better choice!

[PTBO Dave]

Brian, are you suggesting that the league is not allowing ownership groups from other Canadian cities to bid on CFL expansion franchises?

[Grover]

The financial benefits of 1 Grey Cup in Halifax will generate well over $50M in economic benefits to the City of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia.
This economic benefit will also happen in the month of November when tourism would need a much needed boost

[HfxTC]

The financial benefits of 1 Grey Cup in Halifax will generate well over $50M in economic benefits to the City of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia.
This economic benefit will also happen in the month of November when tourism would need a much needed boost

But look how long you guys have waited for a Grey Cup... Putting one in the deal in the first five years might still be a nice negotiation point.

[HfxTC]

Exactly. Those in the Maritimes, particularly the Halifax region should be hollering for this to happen ASAP and for all levels of government to help cost share to some degree in the stadium development. Even a senior citizen who has no interest in attending events at the stadium will benefit - because their greatest need as they age (healthcare budgets) will increase from the new tax revenues that didn’t exist prior. Even their day to day hospital facilities and services will improve - as these facilities must be prepared for potential catastrophes occurring wherever 30,000 people regularly gather.

Once weighing the pros and cons - there isn’t a down side to a CFL team and new stadium in Halifax.

It's been proven time and time again that sports stadiums have no positive economic impact on cities.  I still think some government funding for the stadium is a good idea though.  Sports teams can be a point of civic pride, and can bring a community together.  But trying to frame a CFL franchise as some huge economic benefit that is going to improve healthcare for seniors is crazy.  Google any of the 100's of studies that show the impact of sports teams on local economies.  

Studies can be made to conclude whichever way the authors wish to take it. We hired 11 University grads last summer. We gave them $20.00 an hour to start and all the overtime they want to take on at $30.00 an hour, flexible schedules and a health plan. That may not sound like much but in Halifax, this is a good starting wage by Xmas we had 2 left. Of the 9 we lost, 8 left the province. When doing exit interviews, the same answers kept coming back.

Lack of Diversity (Food choice, social events...) This is where a stadium falls in.
Lack of upward mobility (Kind of tough without growth)
Poor transit
High cost of living.

At some point a city has to do something to grow, to keep its talent it needs to be vibrant, creative and business friendly. None of these apply to Halifax.

I know exactly how this ends. These progressives that run this city and by default the province (over 60 percent of the population lives around Halifax) are going to show up hat in hand in Ottawa within the next ten years and ask to be bailed out. Population is aging at a rapid, rapid rate and all the young talent is leaving. This is a disaster in the making. The politicians here are beholden to a small bunch of rich parasites that can't see pass their nose.

[Grover]

The financial benefits of 1 Grey Cup in Halifax will generate well over $50M in economic benefits to the City of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia.
This economic benefit will also happen in the month of November when tourism would need a much needed boost

But look how long you guys have waited for a Grey Cup... Putting one in the deal in the first five years might still be a nice negotiation point.

Please don't use Hamilton as an example, It is the worst case example.  
When the TiCats get into the Grey Cup this year,
I think the Hamilton Mayor would bet against the TiCats with the rival Mayor over the outcome.
It really is that bad.

Getting a Grey Cup awarded is something the Commissioner has the power to do.
Toronto got 2 Grey Cups awarded in the next decade in 2015 when MLSE purchased the Argos and refurbished BMO Stadium.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2015/04/27/larry-tanenbaum-and-bell-in-talks-to-buy-the-argos.html

[GHT120]

We may be surprised. I don't believe there is anything on record of any city anywhere that chose to NOT allow a pro sports franchise to set up shop in town. They allow it, grant licenses and permits etc - because the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

To be as cynical as politicians deserve, they support sports teams and facilities because it plays well to a not insignificant segment of voters; to paraphrase Glengarry Glen Ross :

ALWAYS
BE
CAMPAIGNING

[GHT120]

The financial benefits of 1 Grey Cup in Halifax will generate well over $50M in economic benefits to the ***businesses in*** Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia.
This economic benefit will also happen in the month of November when tourism would need a much needed boost

Little edit above; only the taxes/fees charged on that increased economic activity benefit the City/Province.

[GHT120]

Studies can be made to conclude whichever way the authors wish to take it...

Don't know the city well enough to comment on the rest, but your statement is true and why I have repeatedly said that any "numbers" claimed as reason for public funds to be used must come from a study by independent experts; teams and politicians that support a team (or politicians who oppose a project) will "find" some "estimates" and extrapolate wildly to support their view.

[EZ Football]

If there's a suitable existing stadium in Halifax, why not have the weakest paid attendance team (Toronto?) play one of their regular season home games in Halifax wearing the proposed Halifax uniform for one day?

The scoreboard would look like this if Toronto was winning, 45-14 against Saskatchewan.  Toronto would be in parenthesis to reduce any confusion:

Saskatchewan - 14
Halifax (Toronto) - 45

That would whet the appetite for expansion without actually expanding.  It's sort of like after Marshall's plane crashed, Bobby Bowden at West Virginia offered to wear the Marshall jersey and finish Marshall's season using West Virginia's team.  The NCAA denied that idea, but that's beside the point.

[Grover]

The financial benefits of 1 Grey Cup in Halifax will generate well over $50M in economic benefits to the ***businesses in*** Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia.
This economic benefit will also happen in the month of November when tourism would need a much needed boost

Little edit above; only the taxes/fees charged on that increased economic activity benefit the City/Province.

Of course it benefits business, that is a good thing
If taxes and fees =  up to 20% to the City/Province
That comes to $10M in 1 week at a period of time when tourism is at a low point in November.
What does the National exposure of a Grey Cup mean in $$$ to the Halifax and N.S. Tourist industry