Fact checking quotes in the paper today..

I read the story in today's Tennessean about the football stadium discussions. These discussions are important. I hope the administration can find a way to speak more precisely about what they are negotiating. I don't have much time today. I'll just quickly hit on two statements attributed to the Mayor.

"Nashville is required to maintain a 'first-class stadium,' according to the Titans lease agreement. Mayor John Cooper said that equates to 'the median of the most recent half-dozen stadiums that have been built.'"

It is inaccurate to say Metro must maintain the stadium to the standard of "the median of the most recent half-dozen stadiums that have been built." Honestly, this is not close to accurate.

Being precise on this requires running through a series of definitions.

In the lease, Metro is required to pay for all "Capital Projects that give rise to Capital Project Expenses...."

And "Capital Project Expenses" are defined as expenses required to maintain the stadium in "First Class Condition."

"First Class Condition" is defined as conditions that: (a) comply with "Applicable Law", (b) are in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, and (c) having a level of improvements and new technology from time to time found at a reasonable number of "Comparable Facilities..."

And finally, to get to the Mayor's comment in the Tennessean, "Comparable Facilities" are defined as "first-class sporting and entertainment stadiums that are (a) comparable to the Facilities, (b) of similar age (i.e., completed within ten years before or after the Substantial Completion Date) to that of the Facilities and (c) located in major metropolitan areas of the United States, including other football stadiums in which NFL Games are played..." The definition goes on to identify ten stadiums that the parties agree are "Comparable Facilities." Some of those are still in operation and some have been replaced.

I expect that the team and the administration would disagree — perhaps strenuously — on what exactly is required to make our stadium be in "First Class Condition." But any way you look at it, Metro is not obligated as the Mayor claimed to make Nissan Stadium meet the same standard as "the median of the most recent half-dozen stadiums that have been built." That is not correct.

"'Part of my goal is to get this done without it being a burden on the general taxpayer,' Cooper said.

Stay aware of how the Mayor talks about this. He isn't saying "...without being a burden to Metro's General Fund." And he isn't saying "...without being a burden to taxpayers." Who does he mean by "the general taxpayer"?

I think a more complete version of his statement would be, "It will definitely take substantial property tax and sales tax revenue to make this project work. But part of my goal is to have much of the taxes generated from the new neighborhood stay in the neighborhood to help pay for the stadium and new infrastructure. In this way, I don't think other taxpayers -- the general taxpayer -- will be burdened."

Different people will feel differently about the complete statement. But let's be accurate so we can have that conversation.