I have this half baked idea that I need to share. Seattle, Sacramento, and probably a few other cities are on the brink of losing their professional sports teams due to the economics of the game(s). Here in Seattle the new ownership of the Sonics are holding discussions with anyone who will listen that in order to be a profitable endeavor a new arena must be built . Proposed New Arena Lots and lots of public money must be committed. Taxes, bonds, etc. Of course no pol wants to get behind raising taxes or floating bonds for the benefit of owners or players who are conceived by many as rich and greedy.

So here is my idea; We know that the owners want to make money. Study the situation and determine cost and profitability goals. Consider the appreciation of the team's worth. Try to come up with a public profit amount that would satisfy the owners. Keep in mind, the ownership has made a significant investment and deserve compensation for that investment. Negotiate performance incentives for the team and ownership. Stay in the current facilities for a specified time period. Keep in mind, the public has made a significant investment in the current facilities and deserve to get good value for their tax dollars. I'm certain this would be a much lighter financial burden to the region than building a new arena. If the team(s) meet certain goals offer greater incentives, which at some point might be a new arena. It's fair, the taxpayers and fans are getting value and they owners are promised a reward plus performance incentives.

I've always admired the City of Green Bay ( a very small market) and their beloved Packers
GB Packers The city and the team are nearly synonymous. Why wouldn't a modified version of this work?