05/04/04  Analyze That!!

HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN SPORTS WITHOUT USING YOUR OWN

As a sports team owner to make lots of money, one only has to ask for it (without paying interest) and then invest it without paying back those from whom the original money was taken.  This is a business secret that many fail to apply in their daily lives.  Let's take a look at how this business opportunity  often works.

First ---  Find some politicians willing to submit a bill to your state legislature to enable taxation of the public sector (like citizens in the community  and other private and publicly owned companies).  Although, most politicians won't just run down to the Capitol and submit such a bill without some personal satisfaction or remuneration (campaign financing, gifts, tickets, trips, etc.), it is known that such satisfactions are easily handled.

Second --- Get the local community and business folks to believe the resulting bill submitted will ultimately create wealth for the entire community and all local businesses.  There may need to be a small amount of "eminent domain" practiced along the way to make room for the new business, but locals can be convinced that "all boats will float" with the new super business in town.  This is all that is needed for many UNINFORMED voters to go to the polls and pull the YES lever.  Just like a slot machine --- it is painless.

Third --- Build the new business with tax money from the unsuspecting, tax anything that looks non-threatening and is perhaps difficult to comprehend (such as vehicle, hotel, boat, etc. rentals).  Pay high salaries to yourself and all key employees, sell merchandise and food, receive sponsorships, and just rake in the cash. Above all, have tax abatements from the city or county.  Why pay any tax?  Pay minimum wages to all non-essential support personnel and part time help.

Fourth --- Just sit back while you rake in piles of cash and watch the voters for several years as they look around and attempt to determine where all their city services have gone.  They might observe that conventions have left town, and restaurant and hotel revenues have decreased substantially (as well as employment for thousands).  Planners for conventions, stockholder meetings, etc. will find found less expensive cities for their meetings.  It does not take long for true business operators to observe the bottom line on expenses and how to minimize them.

Fifth ---  Before too many local folks figure out just what has transpired, and how all the money was made with no interest paid, SELL the business and move to the "islands", with no phone within reach.  Just leave the physical structures in place for others to care for and maintain.  Perhaps the abandon facilities could be turned into casinos.

That's about all there is to it.  Of course, books will continue to be written describing the above tactics, and how they directly relate to other similar projects in other cities --- with the same serious financial / budget woes for the citizens of those cities.