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Message: [QUOTE="CL82, post: 5332807, member: 44"] I actually think the state should sit on the sidelines. I don't think the Sun brings a big enough multiplier effect to justify investment in it. I'm not sure how much they get out of being a minority interest holder, but I guess getting a bit of equity back is better than just handing the Sun a bucket of cash. For what it's worth, the university of Connecticut has a bigger multiplier effect, based upon number of teams, number of games, and relative popularity. If the state is throwing around money to subsidize athletics, the best way to do that is to stop charging us to use State owned or controlled facilities. We pay above market rent to use the PBA (former Hartford Civic Center) for the men's basketball team, the women's basketball team, occasionally for the hockey team. We also pay to use Rentschler field for football. These events are being played in the greater Hartford area because the state feels as if they are an economic engine. Currently, the state pays University of Connecticut, which pays for the athletic department, to pay the CDRA so that a portion of its multimillion dollar annual operating loss is, effectively, hidden in the athletic departments budget. This makes the athletic department look less successful, and thus makes the university less desirable target. The. CDRA is a state agency so it's an annual deficit is paid for by the state, meaning that the money it comes from the State and is ultimately paid to the state. The only real world impact of the existing process is that it hides a portion of the CDRA's annual losses inside the state of Connecticut budget. If they eliminate the circular transfer of money, then the Connecticut athletic department's financials look much healthier. Given that we only play in Hartford because the State wants us to come in further given that ultimately the state pays for it either way. This makes more sense. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach