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After the failed second coming of the Sonics, what can Mr. Balmer do to feed his sports niche?

The Seattle Derby?

BALMER green vf2After the failure to get the NBA to move a basketball team from Sacramento to Seattle, how is Steve Balmer to rescue his zillionaire claim to the ultimate perk .. his own sports team?

As we celebrate the Kentucky Derby, I have an idea. The trick for anyone wanting to buy a sports franchise is getting the city to invest dollars so you can build a stadium or an arena on the tax payer’s chit. Why not build a race track instead? Look at Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby is held! Churchill Downs is way cooler than a basketball arena!

Churchill Downs is even a private company and like Microsoft itself is very good at avoiding paying taxes! How much better Mr Balmer could do by getting the City of Seattle to fund the Balmer Derby in order to tax the luxury boxes and other amenities at the new race track?

The Derby is run at Churchill Downs, located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, Churchill Downs Incorporated owns and operates the racetrack. Guests can sip $1000 mint juips through gold straws while watching their horses!

A race track is a great place to impress rich friends. From 2001 to 2005, Churchill Downs underwent a $121 million renovation. Of course 79 luxury suites were added along with “The Mansion,” an improved clubhouse described by one fan at Yelp as a “cathedral.” where tickets range from $7,000 to $12,500.

The Mansion, reminiscent of the tradition of Mansions during the era of the plantations, is only open on Kentucky Oaks and Derby day. where the billionaire owners of Derby horses can sip $1000 mint julips. The new design has been somewhat controversial since the new suites block full view of the track’s historic twin spires from most angles.[3] The tips of the spires are still the highest parts of the facility, albeit just barely now. Reminds me of Paul Allen’s wanting to build two 24 story buildings on the shore of Lale Union to block the rest of Seattle’s view of the lake! Why not have Steve buy out Mr. Allen and place the Seattle Derby on the shores of Lake Union?

Imagine the scene, horses speed around the lake, finishing under a fireworks display from the Space Needle! The Seattle Derby could even outdo the $1000 mint julip with Northwest wine served in goblets designed by Chihuly!

Back in Kentucky, Churchill Downs even deducts the costs of partying that honors billionaire horse owners. The IRS, however, decided that one-half of those expenses are deductible under the rule that only half of the entertainment expenses can be deducted as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Imagine the taxes Seattle could rake in as Billionaire horse owners party at a new Canlis by the lake!

Unlike basketball with its NBA rules against gambling, betting on a horse race could also bring $$ into Seattle, Recently, Churchill Downs Inc. objected to plans to build a casino in Louisville since that would drain betting fees from the track, people are able to just do sports betting online instead and are very used to doing so because of the simple ease of it, however, having both would benefit more than just one group. Especially as there are so many different ways to partake in betting these days, whether it’s footie, rugby, horse racing or even esports betting. The increased popularity of online sports betting websites along with others that offer up a bouquet of games such as slots, bingo, casino games such as poker, blackjack, roulette, etc., have helped in the expansion of the domain of online gambling. The legitimate new brands in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, etc., have provided more opportunities for the casino industry (gambling industry per se) to grow.

Our wired city could also fix this… imagine betting machines for the Seattle Derby in every bar and tavern in King County. With software provided by Microsoft, the royalties from Betts paced on the nags could fund all sorts of civic amenities! I’m sure in coming months they would also look at mobile betting to increase revenue!


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