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First College Football Game Played
Rutgers vs. Princeton
This is the beginning of college football. What began on this day has led to where we are now as sport fanatics. College sports are so integral to some towns that taxpayers will step in to ensure that their teams have the best staduims and amenities. -
NCAA Founded
The foundation of the NCAA allowed for rules and regulations to be set for collegiate sports. As sports became a big business and big draw, especially in football these rules became necessary to protect the athletes and set eligibility regulations to keep game play fair and safe.
The NCAA's original name was the IAAUS. The name changed in 1910. -
First Stadiums Constructed
Forbes Field in Pittsburgh and Shibe Park in Philadelphia open their doors to sports fans. This was the first era of stadium construction which introduced concrete stadiums.
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Opening Day at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is not only the home of the Boston Red Sox but a staple to the Boston community. Contruction for the stadium cost $650,000 at the time, which would be over $14 million in today's standards. -
Packers take Relocation off the Table
The Green Bay Packers became a publicly owened country with citizens of Green Bay holding stake in the company. With this style of ownership relocation is a nonissue. While this is great security for fans there is no reason for the city of Green Bay to subsidize stadium upgrades.
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2nd Era of Stadiums
This including subsidizing the construction of Milwaukee County Stadium to entice another team to abandon their market. Seeing that teams could easily be lured away by better facilities these ideals ushered in the 3rd era.
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Lambeau Field Opens
One of the most famed stdaiums in professional sports Lambeau Field opens as home to the Green Bay Packers. It remains their home field today. -
Baltimore's Million Dollar Mistake
Baltimore Colt's owner Jim Irsay requests $25 million for Memorial Stadium renovations. The city approves the request but for only $23 million. Upset that he did not get his way with the deal Irsay refuses to sign a long term lease at the stadium, opening the door for later relocation. -
Monopoly or Not?
Sports leagues are under scrutiny as being monopolies and violating antitrust laws. This was brought up in relocation cases because cities felt the teams were not able to act under their own accord and being forced under their parent company (the NFL).
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Baltimore Colts Stolen in the Night
After problems with both the city of Baltimore and the NFL, Baltimore Colt's owner Jim Irsay relocates the team to Indianapolis in a midnight deal without the NFL's approval. The city of Baltimore was blindsided by the move and it illustrated the importance of city/team correspondence. -
McCombs Gives Reason for Doubt
Red McCombs sells the Denver Nuggets impulsively. It was somewhat insignificant to the sports world at the time but when McCombs was looking to get out of his Vikings/Metrodome lease fans feared a similar situation would take place.
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Camden Yards Opens
The development of Camden Yards as a major tourist destination opened the eyes of other cities who are interested in similar projects. -
The Real Cost of Stadium Subsidies
Despite reports that stadium construction increases jobs within a city a 1993 report stated that it merely shifted the jobs in the area. According to Baade and Sanderson subsidies end up paying anywhere from $200,000-$750,000 per full time job created.
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Sports Leagues on the Stand
The House Judiciary's testomony focused on relocation and the economic and emotional benefits and negative consquences of moving professional sports teams. The argument of sports leagues being monopolies fueled the need for legislative action. -
Paul Allen Secures Seahawks in Seattle
After years of threats to move the Seahwaks to Southern California Paul Allen steps in to save his favorite hometown team. When the purchase went through the Seahawks sealed their fate in Seattle. http://www.seahawks.com/team/staff/Paul-Allen/765dfc46-0c3a-4acc-9646-347104c1ce00 -
Taxpayers Subsidize Colts
Taxpayers OK a $20 million subsidy for stadium construction. It was deemed necessary to keep the colts in Indianapolis. -
NFL gets pulled from LA
Robert McNair pays $700 million to move NFL team from LA to Houston. This caused cities to look into subsidizing stadium construction to keep teams in their city.
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Universities make a run for the Big Time
Starting with the University of Pittsburgh and moving through many universities nationwide. Sports programs are realizing that staduim construction is paramount to their sports programs and the legitimacy of their school. Many of univeristy stadiums are approaching 40 years and older.
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Indianapolis Fears Losing Colts
Indianapolis has been subsidizing the Colts since 1998 but fear of losing the team on '06 caused them to budget $12 million to ensure the team remaining in the area.
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Vikings Deconstructed By Owner McCombs
Despite rumors that the Minnesota Vikings could be moving owner Red McCombs denied them left and right for two years. In late 2004 McCombs held a garaqe sale that involves selling office supplies and filing cabinets and began looking towards LA for a potential move. Fans refused to believe McComb's denial due to his history regarding the blind side sale of the Denver Nuggets.
