Re “Will the Padres stay?” (April 5): I look forward to reading the weekly U-T Econometer feature. The most recent one dealt with legislation to stop the Padres from leaving San Diego. Unfortunately, most of your panelists didn’t seem to be aware of how sports stadiums get built, who does the financing and who makes the land available to the teams.
Almost every sports team is subsidized by the taxpayers and host city. Numerous books have been written on this topic, the best of which is “Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money into Private Profit.” I’d highly recommend the panelists educate themselves as to why the city should absolutely have a say in keeping the Padres in town! The city made a huge investment in this stadium and team and is a stakeholder that deserves a good return on investment.
Plus the fans just want the Padres here! They count, too.
— Nadine Scott, Oceanside