The academic consensus is that covered football stadiums never pay for themselves. The bulk of the benefits go to the team owners, while the public is saddled with the construction, maintenance and renovation costs. But such facilities can leverage other investments, such as housing, or restaurants and hotels.

So what makes more sense -- building in Brook Park to leverage another Pinecrest or Crocker Park in a saturated, no-growth market? Or, leveraging the Haslams’ proposed investments and political connections to close Burke Lakefront Airport? The Haslams’ investment at Burke would open up 400-plus acres for a stadium, residential and park development while also creating synergy with other downtown attractions.

The Brook Park plan requires over $100 million in transportation upgrades f

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