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For immediate release, 5/9/97
Libertarians say to Pat Bowlen, the Broncos, and
Metro Area Politicians:
"Keep Sports and State Separate!"
The Libertarian Party of Colorado this week passed a resolution calling for "separation of sports and state." The resolution passed by a unanimous 9-0 vote at the Board's monthly meeting held May 7.
"The Constitution makes it crystal clear that the government should not interfere in what people do in a house of worship on Sunday morning," said Sandra Johnson of Fort Garland, CO, chairwoman of the Libertarian Party of Colorado. "The founders of this country would be appalled at the arrogance of modern day politicians who think government should interfere in what people do in a different sort of house of worship on Sunday afternoon.
"The fact Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is not expanding his personal wealth as fast as other NFL owners does not create an obligation on the taxpayers," said Johnson. "Let John Elway invest some of his auto dealership profits in the stadium. Take the Broncos public in a Wall Street stock offering. Charge $10 for a hot dog and $8 for a beer. These are but a few of the alternatives to forcing the taxpayers at large to subsidize Mr. Bowlen's prosperity. He may not be asking for a direct subsidy for the 200 acre entertainment park at the new stadium, but if he can afford to finance this fantasyland, he can certainly arrange private financing for the stadium itself."
The resolution passed by the Libertarian Party of Colorado Board of Directors reads:
"Whereas professional sports franchises and sports leagues are private organizations and private commercial ventures, and
"Whereas Mr. Pat Bowlen and the Denver Broncos are actively lobbying metro area governments and politicians for a new stadium complex or renovations to Mile High Stadium, either of which would be heavily subsidized by taxpayers, and
"Whereas cities across the country are competing with each other to attract and retain sports franchises in ways that burden the taxpayers with long term debt in order to enrich the growing welfare class of professional sports owners and players
"Therefore, be it resolved that the Libertarian Party of Colorado affirms its belief in the separation of sports and state; and that professional sports owners, leagues, and players should be supported solely by the free will and full consent of their sponsors and customers, not through the force of taxation and public indebtedness."
The Libertarian Party is the nation's third largest and fastest growing political party. National dues paying membership in the party has doubled in the past 2 years. Colorado is a national Libertarian stronghold, with the third highest per capita rate of dues paying membership. The national Libertarian Party was founded in Westminster, CO, 25 years ago.
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