I hope Columbus can make it, but if the casino revenue goes to the Blue Jackets, isn’t that public revenue? If the city council is voting on it, aren’t those public funds they’re voting on? I don’t know much about the details, but it still smells like public money going to subsidize a private and lucrative industry.

Here’s an idea, if it’s ok to ask the taxpayers to subsidize a private company which most of them derive no benefit from, how ’bout we ask the players to chip in? They’re direct beneficiaries of these subsidies, so maybe they’ll be willing to chip in, say 10% of their salaries for the good of the franchise, the city, the NHL and blah, blah, blah. That’s another way of saying that taxpayers will be subsidizing the high salaries of NHL players, which is foolish. (unless you’re a player)

If the economics of the franchise don’t work, why not do what they do in most other industries. Realign the cost structure, or close the plant. Another option is to move the plant across the border to Canada where the cost and revenue equation is more favorable right now. Or you could become like GM and pay off politicians to keep you a permanent ward of the state, on the government teat for life.

Teams to move: Phoenix, Florida, Islanders, Nashville, Columbus