MrSpkr's random thoughts . . .: Dallas really knows how to screw up a good thing, doesn't it?

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Dallas really knows how to screw up a good thing, doesn't it?
The only decent arena in Dallas is the American Airlines center, home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars.

Jerry Jones didn't get a good enough offer from Dallas to build the Cowboys' new stadium at Fair Park in Dallas -- heaven forbid the city spend some money to get some money.

Now, one of the strongest, oldest traditions in college football may disappear -- all because Dallas has been unwilling to spend the money to upgrade the Cotton Bowl stadium, expand seating, and create additional luxury suites (which generate serious cash for the teams).

The OU-Texas Red River Shootout may be leaving Dallas at the end of the current contract (2009).

This is not the first time this game has been threatened. I can still remember a rather extreme right-winger, E.Z. Million, who argued against renewing the Dallas contract back in 1996 (when I was in law school at OU).

Back then, however, such views were written off as fanciful. After all, OU/Texas was a tradition -- one of the grandest in college football -- and holding the game at the Great State Fair of Texas on a neutral field was a big part of the atmosphere.

Now, however, I shan't be surprised to see it disappear. The City of Dallas doesn't appear that interested in it.

I wonder if they will be interested when they lose a chunk of their annual tax revenue from hotel taxes, restaurant taxes, monies spent at the fair, etc., etc.?

I wonder if the citizens who individually profit from the game by working the fair, working restaurants, helping with parking, operating shuttle busses, etc., etc., will miss it?

I presume they all will miss it -- but only after it is gone. Sadly, it seems to be man's curse to take things for granted until they disappear.
- posted by MrSpkr @ 15:27

Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

About Me