Cities eager to tout privately financed sports stadiums are still spending big through tax breaks, land deals and public financing that shift costs back to taxpayers.
When the deep-pocketed Denver Broncos ownership group announced its plans for a new football stadium in September, city and state leaders applauded its pledge to privately finance both the stadium and a new mixed-use district surrounding it.
But the Broncos’ announcement contained some notable fine print. The multibillion-dollar stadium complex won’t be entirely funded by the team’s owners, which include members of Walmart’s Walton family.
“The project will include city and state support for public improvements,” the announcement noted.
smartcitiesdive.com
By Vicky Uhland
Published Oct. 20, 2025