This post is by Nick Scheibel, Fund Administration Associate at The Minneapolis Foundation. In addition to managing Donor Advised grants for the foundation, Nick is a Cheesehead who has (mostly) adapted to life in Minnesota.
But for others, professional sports reek of elitism and greed. Tickets to games are often prohibitively expensive for all but the wealthiest fans, and billionaire owners often plead for public assistance to build new stadiums, despite their ample means. In many cases, distaste for professional sports comes down to the individual players, who reap huge financial rewards for their performance, but may not give back to the communities that support them.
Last year an online debate was held on the issue of athletes giving back. Sports stars such as Mario Lemieux and Warrick Dunn argued both sides of the question: do professional athletes have an obligation to give back to the community? Unsurprisingly, no athletes publicly made the case that giving was not necessary, but some did say that they should not feel obligated to the communities in which they play.
Locally, the Minnesota Vikings have been involved in an ongoing debate over public financing for a new stadium. Several financing options have been explored, but at this time no consensus has been reached. Governor Pawlenty recently proposed using lottery proceeds to help finance a facility.
I have been a sports fan my whole life. As an avid supporter of the Green Bay Packers, I have always felt that my team keeps me connected to my home state. My annual trips to Lambeau Field are one of the highlights of my year. I can relate to Vikings fans who would do anything to keep their team in Minneapolis. However, as a taxpayer, I can also relate to those who do not wish to see any of our state’s already stretched resources go to a sports franchise.
Working in philanthropy, I have also been exposed to some of the great things Vikings players have done to support our community. The E. J. Henderson Youth Foundation provides holistic opportunities to urban youth, and earned Henderson the Vikings 2009 Community Man of the Year Award. Former Vikings star Alan Page is a founder of the Page Education Foundation.
In light of the many issues surrounding professional sports teams and the Vikings, we have invited Lester Bagley, Vice President of Public Affairs and Stadium Development for the Minnesota Vikings, to join At the Table for a discussion of the Vikings role in the community. This event is co‑hosted by the Citizen’s League and will be held at The Minneapolis Foundation on April 13, 2010. Please click here for more information about the event and to register online.
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