State and local governments are willing to sometimes make these kinds of contributions to sports stadiums and arena projects, especially if a team is being courted by another city or state that is ready to offer a new facility or other financial support.
In late 2016, Atlanta struck a similar deal with the Hawks to keep them playing at Philips Arena through 2046. The city agreed to pay more than $142 million toward a $192.5 million renovation using the proceeds of a rental car tax valued at $110 million, the $12.5 million sale of Turner Field and other property sales worth $20 million.
