What’s So Super For Us?
The universal reaction to Indianapolis getting the Super Bowl has been one of pure ecstasy. Even one of the Navistar workers leaving the plant with a lay-off notice was happy over what he thought, on balance, was a good day. But what exactly will the average citizen get out of all this?
First off, let’s dispel any illusions anyone might have. Unless you’re part of the power structure, you have ZERO chance of getting tickets for the big game. This is not like the baseball or basketball all-star games, where season ticket holders are assured of getting in. The NFL reserves most of the tickets for itself to give to sponsors. The two competing teams get some, although not as many as they used to. And each team gets a very small block. The Colts will get a few more as the hosting team. But not enough to even begin to dream of distributing to season ticket holders. (Quick note: If the Colts are playing in the Super Bowl, the ticket math changes drastically. But remember: That will be Peyton Manning’s fourteenth season at quarterback. So I’m figuring that window of opportunity won’t be as wide by then.) So unless you’re willing to drop a few thousand bucks with a broker or on-street entrepreneur, you’ll watch the game on TV, just as you would if it were in Miami, New Orleans, or San Diego.
Now let’s consider the hassle factor. For a week or maybe more, it will be virtually impossible to travel anywhere in downtown without encountering some kind of barricade or security roadblock. It’ll be hard getting to work. It’ll be impossible to get into a restaurant. And forget even approaching downtown on Super Weekend. Of course, you’ll want to stay home anyway, because with all the police downtown guarding the fat cat owners and sponsors, who will be left to protect you and your belongings from crime?
Yes, the Super Bowl will bring lots of money to the city. And the hotels, restaurants, and bars who will gather most of it in should be ecstatic. So should their employees who will enjoy a tip bonanza. But for you and me, I ask again, why exactly should we be celebrating?
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1) The large amount of tax dollars we’ll pick up that weekend, helping pay for city and state services.
2) The national prestige, various positive externalities that come from drawing attention to the city in the national media (I just hope the weather isn’t too bad).
However, there is part of me that’s kind of glad I won’t be living downtown in 2012.
We basically donate city services to the NFL and it’s involved parties; who, as part of the agreement, happen to be tax exempt during their stay in our city which is full of tax abated hotels.
Meanwhile, us (near) downtown residents will not be allowed access to areas we usually have daily access to, eat at the place we usually eat, or shop at the places we usually shop, after our tax money has been used to build the arena the game is being played in.
And now begins the responses talking about how I am un-American and should move if I don’t like it, even though I’ve lived in this area all 34 years of my life. Yeah, that’s good logic.
I will not be playing in Indy by then–Eli, Uncle Mitch and Mayor Chunky and I will be hosting a double keggar at the Hipp Hugger in Kokomo that day. Me likes Uncle Mitch for President–uggh Gubernor–yeah for Uncle Mitch!
Eli and me are going to Kings Island this week to eat oreos and drinks some beers! I bet daddy makes us do some dance or something! Anyways I likes it that we has the Super Bowl.
Norm, your reputation as a curmudgeon is safe.
Getting tickets to the big game isn’t impossible. Getting them by lottery is certainly unlikely and for Colts season ticket holders not very plausible, but if one has the requisite cash, then one can attend the game.
For those of us who don’t get to be employed downtown, your complaints about the “hassle factor” (which makes me think of Baywatch for some reason) fall on deaf ears. Try living around the Speedway for a few years, then complain.