As the US goes to the polls (Tuesday) today to decide who the next President of the country will be, significant public votes are also taking place that will go a long way to determining future stadium developments for two major league franchises.
Voters in San Diego will vote on Ballot Measure C, with the public asked to approve a four-per-cent increase in hotel room taxes that would generate $1.15bn (£930m/€1.04bn) in funding for a proposed new $1.8bn downtown stadium for the San Diego Chargers NFL American football franchise. The complex will also include a convention centre.
However, the Review Journal newspaper reported that, with a two-thirds ‘super-majority’ required to pass the measure, opinion polls have only indicated support of between 40 and 45 per cent.
The report added that a defeat for the measure could have major implications for Las Vegas’ pursuit of an NFL franchise, suggesting that the Chargers could be tempted to Nevada. Last month the Nevada Legislature approved a financing plan for a new $1.9bn, 65,000-seat stadium, with $750m to be provided by the public purse.
However, Chargers owner Dean Spanos has said that any poll result that is close to 50 per cent would encourage him to pursue efforts to stay in San Diego rather than explore relocation.
Meanwhile in Arlington, the public will vote on whether to extend a half-cent sales tax, two-per-cent hotel-occupancy tax and five-per-cent car-rental tax in order to help fund a new $1bn retractable-roof stadium for Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.
Arlington currently uses those funds to pay off the remaining $155m debt on the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise’s AT&T Stadium, which opened seven years ago.
The new ballpark would replace Globe Life Park, which opened in 1994.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that with a high turnout expected in the US Presidential election, the stadium tax measure is expected to be given the go-ahead.
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