The Turkish immigrant Ersal Ozdemir isn't used to taking no for an answer. He was taught that if you stuff a bunch of money in the politicians' pockets, you can ask and receive government handouts for your private business endeavors on demand. From his mansion in a gated Carmel community, Ersal Ozdemir remains convinced he is owed a brand new soccer stadium financed by the taxpayers because he brought a minor league professional soccer team, Indy Eleven, to Indianapolis and made big campaign contributions to the politicians. In the end, he'll probably get what he wants based on the past track record of our bought and paid for politicians.
The facilities at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium are more than adequate for his fledgling soccer team, but he's a professional sports team owner and he was told that all professional sports team owners in Indianapolis get a taxpayer-financed stadium. He's not the least concerned that Indy Eleven's attendance has plummeted. Officially, Indy Eleven officials acknowledge only a 6.3% attendance figure decline, but anyone who has paid any attention to the televised games couldn't help but notice all of the empty seats in the stadium as this year's season wore on.
Peter Wilt tells the IBJ, whose owner Mickey Maurer is a next door neighbor of Ozdemir, that only the "tire kickers" have stopped attending the games. "Second seasons are always challenging," Wilt told the IBJ. "The tire kickers may have left, but we had a really good base. Coming out of our second season, we can find a lot of positives." Wilt claims food and beverage sales and sponsorships have made up for lost ticket revenues. Noticeably missing from that claim is the large number of free tickets the team has been giving out during the first two seasons in an effort to entice people to attend the games.
Wilt whines to the IBJ that Carroll Stadium lacks modern amenities like Banker's Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. Sen. Luke Kenley tells the IBJ that he doesn't expect any action on a stadium next year since it's not a budget session, meaning Ozdemir will have to wait until at least 2017 to hit pay dirt. Kenley complained that he thought the team turned down a good deal offered last year to renovate Carroll Stadium for about $20 million. Wilt suckered a Chicago area community into building a new stadium for the Chicago Fire that caused taxes to skyrocket and the promises of success from the development of the new stadium came up way short before he was fired from that job. Attendance at the Chicago Fire's games at a modern stadium have been very disappointing.
8 comments:
They can play in Victory Field. That's already built.
America doesn't need Soccer. It's an emasculating force on the American mentality.
What is the relevance of including "Turkish Immigrant" in the title and within the story? Why not just say developer?
Because it reminds people our elected folks take such a strong liking to supposedly successful businessmen like George Soros, Tony Rezko and Ersal Ozdemir, who start throwing money their way practically the moment they step foot on American soil because that's how business is conducted in their home countries. This is happening all over this country, and it speaks to how corrupt our government institutions have become from foreign influences. Look at the Clintons and all of their illegal Chinese money they collected. You think that hasn't affected American trade policies? Where did Ersal's money come from? He was bankrupt a little more than a decade ago and now he's rolling cash. Where is it coming from?
I recall from my College Days in the early 1970's how my Business Law, Finance, Banking, Economics and Accounting Professors would point with pride the various checks and balances within our business system. If there were violations a rigorous, vigilant regulatory system would enforce the law. This was a stark contrast we were taught to the Third World systems where they may have laws but they were ignored in favor of bribes.
Wall Street with their campaign contributions (read bribes) have managed to turn us into a Third World Country in more ways than one. The multi-national corporations are a law unto themselves, and have no loyalty at all to the country that they may have their HQ in.
It is pathetic to see our elected officials and wantabes acting like they care about Main Street and our McMega-Media let's it all go. It was disgusting how during Rachael Maddow's interview with Hillary Friday, Hillary was not pressed one inch on the millions in speaking fees she has collected from Wall Street.
Thank you for this report, Gary, and thank you for your comment at 9:51.
As always, you raise the crucial points and you ask the important questions.
Ozdemir knows how to work the system. He knows Indiana politicians are cheap buys so he keeps feeding their campaigns. The USA Today report today indicates Indiana politicians are more corrupt when it comes to buying influence than Illinois and Ohio. It should also be noted that Indiana and New York were rated within 1 point when it comes to buying influence. Hoosier need to wake up about politics in Indiana.
So if he lives in Carmel he can ask the roundabout crazy, Brainard to build it for him. Who is going to the games anyways???
If Hogsett really meant what he said about insider he will put a stop to this madness and get ON TRACK on the safety of the city. If bullets are flying there isn't anyone who is going to head to ANY stadium anywhere.
Gary.............It's ironic you mention the Clintons.............
Vinod Gupta (Clinton crony that did time for fraud) has a property they might be interested in.......
LoL, the fool bought the spot on White Lick Creek where Steven Judy murdered Terry Chasteen and her kids!
He only charges 12% on contract for properties he bought with federal grant money he did time to not pay back. 2 years to pocket 500m was a pretty sweet deal if you ask me!
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