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September 21, 2008

Athletes stay mum on stadium deals

NY Daily News
MICHAEL O'KEEFFE

At a luncheon held at the Brooklyn Museum last year to celebrate Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards proposal, I tried to ask Vince Carter his thoughts on using public money for the basketball arena the Nets' owner wants to anchor the project. Carter glared at me and walked away without saying a word. It was probably the only time he played defense all season.

Despite what Vince Carter thinks, it's a valid question: How many school teachers could we hire with the $300 million the city and state have promised Ratner for the Atlantic Yards?

How many uninsured New Yorkers could get medical care with the $10 million annual property tax exemption Madison Square Garden and the Knicks and Rangers have enjoyed for decades?

Alex Rodriguez is rightfully celebrated for providing athletic opportunities for needy children. How come he doesn't say anything about the thousands of Bronx boys and girls who lost Macombs Dam Park so the Yankees could build their new stadium there?

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Posted by amy at September 21, 2008 11:14 AM