J.C. Bradbury
@jcbradbury.com
Economist, Georgian, Gadfly
Stadium Subsidies, Film Incentives, Local Economic Development, Sports Economics
Tariffs bad. Vaccines good.
*If I block you, you deserved it.*
jcbradbury.com
Stadium Subsidies, Film Incentives, Local Economic Development, Sports Economics
Tariffs bad. Vaccines good.
*If I block you, you deserved it.*
jcbradbury.com
Pinned
J.C. Bradbury
@jcbradbury.com
· Nov 6
Cover just dropped. Coming in 2026 from Oxford University Press.
I see people freaking out about World Cup ticket prices. Ultimately, prices will be high, due to scarcity, but current prices aren't final. Since there's no rush to sell, prices are initially set high but will decrease. Focus on final sale prices, not asking prices.
December 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I see people freaking out about World Cup ticket prices. Ultimately, prices will be high, due to scarcity, but current prices aren't final. Since there's no rush to sell, prices are initially set high but will decrease. Focus on final sale prices, not asking prices.
Merry Christmas! 2016 was a really good year, 2018 was OK. Hope they get Anchor up and running again by 2027, or my cellar is going to run dry.
December 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Merry Christmas! 2016 was a really good year, 2018 was OK. Hope they get Anchor up and running again by 2027, or my cellar is going to run dry.
Alright, I've updated all my stadium funding numbers through 2025 (cutoff point for book inclusion). So, no more venue announcements until 2026 (or ever), please. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 24, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Alright, I've updated all my stadium funding numbers through 2025 (cutoff point for book inclusion). So, no more venue announcements until 2026 (or ever), please. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It's simply not possible to devote $1.8 BILLION to a public stadium without acquiring that same amount of wealth from taxpayers (by increasing collections or reallocating revenue). Why is this so hard to understand? Journalists, you've got to challenge public officials on this.
December 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
It's simply not possible to devote $1.8 BILLION to a public stadium without acquiring that same amount of wealth from taxpayers (by increasing collections or reallocating revenue). Why is this so hard to understand? Journalists, you've got to challenge public officials on this.
Taxpayers...the subsidy revenue comes from taxpayers.
December 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Taxpayers...the subsidy revenue comes from taxpayers.
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE STADIUM www.cjonline.com/story/news/p...
December 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE STADIUM www.cjonline.com/story/news/p...
Oof, this is an extremely unflattering portrait of the Athletics. The A's may be an MLB team, but it is certainly not a major-league organization.
The Athletics are rising on the field, but will they spend now as they eye 2028?
The Athletics have a burgeoning core of young players. But they remain in something of an in-between phase ahead of their Las Vegas move.
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Oof, this is an extremely unflattering portrait of the Athletics. The A's may be an MLB team, but it is certainly not a major-league organization.
That's one hell of a "stadium district".
Kansas' Chiefs STAR bond district could span 293 square miles; public cost could top $6.3B - Kansas City Business Journal
An early Chiefs STAR bond district map spans almost 293 square miles. That should dispel the notion that Kansas' support for the stadium is "free money," economists say.
www.bizjournals.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
That's one hell of a "stadium district".
Battle & Brew closes at The Battery
The closure is effective immediately.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Reposted by J.C. Bradbury
@jcbradbury.com @fieldofschemes.bsky.social looks like something is in the water. youtube.com/shorts/1vm82...
The Chiefs are getting $1.8 BILLION in public funded money for their new stadium… and people are
YouTube video by Ev Hand
youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
@jcbradbury.com @fieldofschemes.bsky.social looks like something is in the water. youtube.com/shorts/1vm82...
Reposted by J.C. Bradbury
Ouch. Current est of public resources to the Chiefs is $6.3b (nom) and $4.1b (real). I assume the $2.775b "cap" is all debt financed. Cost comes down if state uses cash. Cap is not what is owed to bond holders but what the state commits to project. $6.3b is rivaled by DC deal for the Commanders.
December 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Ouch. Current est of public resources to the Chiefs is $6.3b (nom) and $4.1b (real). I assume the $2.775b "cap" is all debt financed. Cost comes down if state uses cash. Cap is not what is owed to bond holders but what the state commits to project. $6.3b is rivaled by DC deal for the Commanders.
If you're a journalist who reports on "economic impact studies," call up your local university's economics department and ask which course you should audit to learn how IMPLAN works. You'll find that no such course exists, because that's not how economists study economic effects.
Ugh, please don't publish assertions about the supposed "economic impact" of the new stadium. I've seen the "study", it is GARBAGE. Newspapers shouldn't be repeating propaganda as news. www.kansascity.com/news/local/w...
December 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
If you're a journalist who reports on "economic impact studies," call up your local university's economics department and ask which course you should audit to learn how IMPLAN works. You'll find that no such course exists, because that's not how economists study economic effects.
Random people on the internet: "As an economist, you should know [something that every economist knows is totally incorrect]."
December 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Random people on the internet: "As an economist, you should know [something that every economist knows is totally incorrect]."
Ugh, please don't publish assertions about the supposed "economic impact" of the new stadium. I've seen the "study", it is GARBAGE. Newspapers shouldn't be repeating propaganda as news. www.kansascity.com/news/local/w...
December 23, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Ugh, please don't publish assertions about the supposed "economic impact" of the new stadium. I've seen the "study", it is GARBAGE. Newspapers shouldn't be repeating propaganda as news. www.kansascity.com/news/local/w...
Yesterday, I was literally updating all the tables and figures for my chapter on the cost of new stadiums, when the news broke on the KC Chiefs stadium. Now, I've got to do them all again. I thought I was safe. No more stadium boondoggles until 2026, please.
December 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Yesterday, I was literally updating all the tables and figures for my chapter on the cost of new stadiums, when the news broke on the KC Chiefs stadium. Now, I've got to do them all again. I thought I was safe. No more stadium boondoggles until 2026, please.
Folks, I've been getting yelled at online since before social media existed.
December 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Folks, I've been getting yelled at online since before social media existed.
It's going to be that kind of a day.
December 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
It's going to be that kind of a day.
What's the difference between a burglar and an NFL owner?
A burglar takes your stuff and leaves. An NFL owner takes your stuff and then gives you a lecture about why it's for your own good.
Sam McDowell bringing 🔥
A burglar takes your stuff and leaves. An NFL owner takes your stuff and then gives you a lecture about why it's for your own good.
Sam McDowell bringing 🔥
December 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
What's the difference between a burglar and an NFL owner?
A burglar takes your stuff and leaves. An NFL owner takes your stuff and then gives you a lecture about why it's for your own good.
Sam McDowell bringing 🔥
A burglar takes your stuff and leaves. An NFL owner takes your stuff and then gives you a lecture about why it's for your own good.
Sam McDowell bringing 🔥
It just goes to show you what the representatives who approved the deal really care about. They're the ones who will be in the suite, not the taxpayers who will pay for the food. No wonder politicians and team owners get along so well.
Want a nutshell summary of how bad this Kansas deal is for taxpayers? So bad that the state couldn't even get the team to comp food for its suite. Even after agreeing to give the team $2.775b.
December 23, 2025 at 1:54 AM
It just goes to show you what the representatives who approved the deal really care about. They're the ones who will be in the suite, not the taxpayers who will pay for the food. No wonder politicians and team owners get along so well.
Reposted by J.C. Bradbury
Want a nutshell summary of how bad this Kansas deal is for taxpayers? So bad that the state couldn't even get the team to comp food for its suite. Even after agreeing to give the team $2.775b.
December 23, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Want a nutshell summary of how bad this Kansas deal is for taxpayers? So bad that the state couldn't even get the team to comp food for its suite. Even after agreeing to give the team $2.775b.
We know more details about the Chiefs stadium financing plan than the Las Vegas's Athletics plan.
December 23, 2025 at 12:48 AM
We know more details about the Chiefs stadium financing plan than the Las Vegas's Athletics plan.
"all with no new taxes or state budget dollars"
December 22, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"all with no new taxes or state budget dollars"
Devoting $1.8 BILLION of public money to an NFL stadium (60% of $3 billion) is indefensible public policy.
Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas. Details of stadium package announced
The news came shortly before a council of top Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously to approve an incentive package that would allow the Kansas City Chiefs to move to Kansas.
www.kansascity.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Devoting $1.8 BILLION of public money to an NFL stadium (60% of $3 billion) is indefensible public policy.
Claiming that you're building a new stadium to generate economic development is like claiming that you're going to the moon to mine green cheese.
December 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Claiming that you're building a new stadium to generate economic development is like claiming that you're going to the moon to mine green cheese.