The Political Scorecard of Professional Sports Facility Referendums in the United States, 1984-2000

Abstract

Nearly 70 teams in the four major professional sports in the United States built new stadiums and arenas in the past two decades. About a dozen additional facilities are under construction, and many of the remaining franchises are interested in renovating an existing structure or building a new facility. Funding a new sports facility generally involved local public officials developing a financial package subject to a public vote. These projects are among the largest and most expensive public works a community might undertake. They have often been politically controversial. This study provides a detailed, comprehensive overview of the population of these important ballot measures.