Missouri's governor-elect: St. Louis MLS stadium plan is 'welfare for millionaires'

Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens said Monday he opposes taxpayer money to help build a new soccer stadium in St. Louis

Author:
Associated Press
Publish date:
Dec 19, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens said Monday he opposes taxpayer money to help build a new soccer stadium in St. Louis, calling the project "nothing more than welfare for millionaires."

Greitens' comments, in an email statement, were made a day before the Missouri Development Finance Board is expected to vote Tuesday on a request to approve $40 million in state tax credits for the stadium.

Plans for the new $200 million downtown stadium proposed by the group SC STL were unveiled in November as part of an effort to attract a Major League Soccer expansion team to St. Louis. In addition to state tax credits, the stadium is contingent on St. Louis voters approving $80 million in public funding in an April vote. The city would own the stadium and lease it to the MLS team in a 30-year agreement.

MLS sets timetable for expansion to 28 teams, $150M fee for teams No. 25, 26

"I'm opposed to spending taxpayer money to build a soccer stadium in St. Louis," Greitens, a Republican, said in his statement. "This project is nothing more than welfare for millionaires. Right now, because of reckless spending by career politicians, we can't even afford the core functions of government, let alone spend millions on soccer stadiums. This back-room wheeling and dealing is exactly what frustrates Missourians. This type of politics as usual is coming to an end."

Greitens, who defeated Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster in the November election, doesn't take office until Jan. 9. It wasn't immediately clear what action he could take once in office to remove tax credits if they are approved by the finance board. Messages left with a Greitens spokesman were not returned.

GALLERY: Potential, future soccer stadiums in America

Potential, future soccer stadiums in America

North Carolina FC

The Raleigh bid for an MLS expansion team unveiled a stadium plan for a downtown venue within the boundaries of Peace St., Salisbury St., Lane St. and the N.C. Railroad easement.

Miami

David Beckham's ownership group in Miami has released a rendering for a stadium in the Overtown neighborhood, the latest desired site for an MLS expansion bid that kicked off in 2014.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers are adding 4,000 seats as part of a $50 million renovation to Providence Park.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers are adding 4,000 seats as part of a $50 million renovation to Providence Park.

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United will share Mercedes-Benz Stadium along with the Atlanta Falcons in a state-of-the-art venue.