Ball 3

Part of the Dodger's new ownership group - Magic Johnson With the Dodgers being purchased this week for $2.15 billion , the long-suffering fans finally have a chance to exhale.  The new ownership group brings hope that the club can turn itself into one of the premier franchises in baseball once again.  However, because Dodgers fans have been through so much – a drawn out divorce with former owners Frank and Jamie McCourt , no World Series titles since 1988, a roster that hasn’t signed a marquee free-agent in many years, and an aging Dodger Stadium – the stakes have never been this high.  The Dodgers faithful are desperate for the new ownership group to not only return the club to stability, but also to turn the franchise into a West Coast version of the New York Yankees.  The large involvement of Magic Johnson in the club’s future only raises the bar higher.  Los Angeles sports fans have come to view Johnson as a deity who is nearly infallible....

The Minnesota Vikings recently reached a tentative agreement on how their new $975 million stadium will be financed.   Although the deal is still very preliminary and there are many details to be fleshed out, the StarTribune reports that it will look as such: Under the preliminary deal, the city would contribute $150 million in construction costs to the downtown Minneapolis project. The state would add $398 million, while the Vikings would pay $427 million. The city also would pay approximately $180 million in operating costs over the next 30 years, multiple sources close to the negotiations said. With huge numbers getting thrown around, there are bound to be some questions raised.   Why do the Vikings need a stadium that costs nearly a billion dollars?   What benefits does the city get to justify spending tax dollars on a stadium?   And, most importantly, is this deal fair for the taxpayers, the team, and the city? T...