Kudos to Sports & Exhibition Authority executive director Mary Conturo for refusing to collapse to the corporate greed of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as reported by the PG (“Pirates Threaten to File Legal Action Over SEA’s Refusal to Pay for Work,” Dec. 29). Isn’t it enough that taxpayers have already provided a stadium that contributes to the Pirates being valued at $975 million, according to Forbes magazine? The Nutting family has already made an enormous profit on this franchise.

Many of us have long memories. We have tried to put behind us the fact that the stadium was voted down in a referendum originally and then a political deal was hatched in smoke-filled rooms, burdening the taxpayers with the cost of the stadium. Of that $237 million building cost, the Pirates had to pay only $44 million and then immediately sold the naming rights to get $30 million from PNC for most of its portion. We have suffered from the sell-off of good players to fatten the owners’ pockets. 

Many of us are relieved that the Pirates have become competitive, and we have supported the team.

The revenue sources for the Pirates are many, including, as the article stated, that they already receive the first $1.5 million of the capital reserve fund from the 5 percent ticket surcharge. Fans are happy with PNC Park, and if the Pirates want more bells and whistles, they should pay for them on their dime.

It is encouraging to see the SEA and recently the Pittsburgh school board guard against corporate overreach into taxpayers’ pockets. It is time that these profitable enterprises use their own money to enhance their bottom line. We should have enough confidence in our city to understand that we no longer have to go “hat in hand” to be successful.

KENNETH KALEIDA
Beechview

First Published: January 2, 2017, 5:00 a.m.