Criminals

The NFL are criminals and your elected representatives are their enablers.

Local officials told The Lens the upfront cost was worth it, considering the overall economic impact. According to a study released Thursday, the event spurred $262 million in direct spending and $217 million in indirect spending, resulting in $21 million in state tax revenue and $13.9 million in local tax revenue.

However, that study does not say anything about the $800,000 tax rebate. It’s outlined in a deal dated Feb. 4, the day after the Ravens defeated the 49ers. Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed the agreement in March.

The parties to the agreement are the NFL and four of the taxing entities in Orleans Parish — the city itself, the Orleans Parish School Board, the Regional Transit Authority and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.

But what about all that "economic impact"? 

The school board unanimously approved the arrangement on Feb. 19, with officials saying revenue associated with the game would net them up to four times more than they would give up in tax breaks.

The school board receives 1.5 percent of each type of tax covered by the agreement. That means it would lose $240,000 if the NFL receives the full $800,000 rebate.

Yesterday, when Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was charged with having "for 'many years' engaged in a fraud scheme", it seemed like the feds were more or less stating the obvious. But, no, they were talking about a fraud scheme completely separate from just being an NFL owner. We're still rewarding that with free buildings and stuff.