Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s recent signing of the bill to levy taxes on professional baseball players and staff for financing a staggering $1.8 billion stadium is nothing short of audacious. The state’s gamble to attract a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to Portland hinges on issuing $800 million in bonds—five times the originally proposed $150 million. Yet, this isn’t merely a sports infrastructure project; it’s an enormous financial commitment that the taxpayers are unlikely to escape unscathed from. Betting on a major league team to bring economic revitalization or civic pride is a theory as old as sports franchises themselves—but in Oregon’s case, the price tag and risks should give us pause.
Funding Through Players: A Questionable Strategy
What makes this funding mechanism stand out—and worry—are the specifics of the taxation plan. Income taxes on athletes from both the home and visiting teams, alongside team employees, will be earmarked for bond repayment. This strategy effectively pins the stadium’s debt service on individuals tied to the team rather than general taxpayers, which might seem clever on the surface. However, relying on players’ income assumes sustained attendance, a permanent team presence, and continuous payrolls. If the team flounders or relocates—an ever-present risk in professional sports—the state could be left holding the bag. Furthermore, the law’s requirement for a revenue-sharing deal of at least 1% of gross earnings from baseball-related activities might generate revenue, but it’s unlikely to cover serious long-term liabilities. This financial architecture feels precarious at best.
Baseball’s Stagnant Expansion: A Mirage of Opportunity
The narrative that Oregon is on the verge of snagging an MLB expansion team needs skepticism. MLB currently operates with 30 teams, and while officials speak of potential expansion to 32 by 2029, there are no guarantees—and the league has rarely moved swiftly on such matters. Additionally, Portland faces stiff competition from Salt Lake City, Charlotte, and Nashville—cities with arguably stronger economic profiles and more convincing market potentials. Citing the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics playing in minor league stadiums as justification for expansion is misleading; those situations are exceptions, not the rule. There is a real possibility that Oregon will borrow heavily for a stadium without ever securing the prize it’s chasing.
Looming Risks for the Public and the State
One must question whether pouring nearly two billion dollars into a sports venue is the best use of Oregon’s resources, especially when alternative community needs are pressing. Infrastructure, education, and healthcare sectors face chronic underfunding, and yet the state diverts attention and willingness to subsidize a privately owned sports franchise. Promoters invoke civic pride and economic benefits but often understate the opportunity costs and the volatile nature of sports investments. Major league teams can and do relocate when financial tides shift, potentially leaving Oregon with a gigantic, underused stadium and a debt crisis.
A Bold Pursuit, but at What Price?
Oregon’s push to secure MLB’s next franchise reveals much about contemporary political and economic priorities. From a center-right liberal perspective, this move reflects an overreliance on government-backed subsidies for private enterprises, contravening principles of prudent fiscal management. While enhancing Portland’s profile is undeniably appealing, it should not come at the expense of financial prudence or community welfare. Genuine growth results from sustainable investments, not risky bets tied to the whims of professional sports leagues. Oregon’s allure as “ready and excited” for MLB may sound optimistic, but history and economics counsel caution. The dream of baseball glory should not blind policymakers to the real costs and inherent risks that the state and its people will shoulder.
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