By Racheli Jian, Senior Arts and Culture Editor
The weather’s getting colder, leaves are changing and sports are in full swing. October is the only month when most major leagues are in season. MLB is in its postseason, the NFL is already into Week 5, the NBA is in preseason, and the NHL is just getting started. Even New York’s soccer team, the New York Red Bulls, are playing. New York is an especially sport-centered state with over ten sports teams represented. The abundance ensures a lot of action for fans to follow, but it also establishes an interesting relationship with the state government.
The Buffalo Bills, the only New York football team actually based in New York, received a major subsidy from the state’s government in 2022 for a new stadium expected to open in 2026. The subsidy included $850 million and another $400 million for maintenance over the next thirty years. The generous sum comes from county and state money. Meaning, the funds for this stadium comes from taxpayer’s pockets. So what is the justification for this? Why would a government back a sports stadium?
Sports and stadiums aren’t just for entertainment, they also give back to the economy of whichever city or county they’re in. By opening a stadium, the state opens a mini ecosystem around it. Within the stadium, there are people who construct it, vendors, maintenance staff, security, and so many other positions for people to receive pay. These employment opportunities are one of the reasons that the government sees this as a win for the state’s economy. Further, this allows for job creation outside of the stadium. Once a venue opens, other businesses pop up nearby, creating a hub for the fans to spend money.
Specifically in October, however, countless games are going on with the numerous New York teams within various sports. One way the government makes a profit during this month off of games and not just stadiums is through transportation. Whether someone is taking the subway to the Mets game, the LIRR to support the Islanders, or their car up to Buffalo for the Bills, the government gets a slice of profit from that. The MTA (including the subway and LIRR), while they are not officially part of the New York City and New York State government, have a very close relationship with elected officials. The board members and chairperson are elected by the governor and taxpayers’ dollars go directly to helping the government fund the transportation system.
The MTA has even made improvements to its system specifically for game attendees. For example, the 7 train is a common train for baseball fans. It drops them off just a few minutes walk from the stadium entrance. While the train is convenient, it is also local on the weekdays. This means that instead of the 15-minute express 7 train usually offered on the weekends, you spend double the time crammed on a subway car during the week. However, if it’s a game day, the 7 runs express on the way into Manhattan. This gives people an incentive to take the subway and to attend the game.
Another way people get to sporting events by driving. While this might seem like a mode of transportation untouched by the government, New York has many roads that have tolls. Specifically, the 16W, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, and RFK bridge, which are the main ways that people get to the different New York (and New Jersey) stadiums, are tolled. These roads collect money which is then given to the government. An increase in driving, such as a game day, will increase the amount of money collected.
Tourism is also a big part of the government’s profits. While it may seem small, there is a whole department in the government dedicated to making sure people come and visit New York. By having home games in a variety of sports, tourists have something to do when they come to visit New York. While some may enjoy a Broadway show in Times Square, others won’t mind going a few blocks down to MSG to catch a Knicks Game. This variety of options leads tourists to spend more money on food, hotels, and novelties in that area, which the government can then tax and get profits from. While this may seem minute when it’s just in MSG, imagine over ten teams in over three counties, and thousands of tourists. It makes an impact.
October is prime time for sports fans, but also for profits. Whether through improvements, job openings, transportation, or taxes, there are ways that the state benefits from sporting events just as much as the audience. So next time you’re cheering on your favorite team, remember that every slam dunk, touchdown, or homerun benefits you and New York in more ways than one.
Photo Caption: The train station outside Yankee Stadium
Photo Credit: Richard Lu / Unsplash