Once upon a time, when a major sports team from Los Angeles won its league’s championship there was no question that the city would cover the costs of a celebratory parade. However, in these difficult financial times, questions have been raised about springing for a parade to honor the 2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.
The city has agreed to split the cost with the team for a two-mile parade and rally at the L.A. Coliseum. (The rent for the Coliseum will work toward reducing the state’s massive deficit by a few dollars because the governor hasn’t gotten around to selling it, yet.)
The Police Protective League issued a news release that declared it was “foolish” for the city to spend one million dollars on a three hour parade while every tax dollar is needed for essential services. It’s hard to debate that logic. The city council is considering major cuts and layoffs to deal with the hole in the city budget.
What exactly should taxpayer dollars be funding, anyway? Aren’t they supposed to take care of basic services? Fund civic engagements that we must do collectively because we cannot handle as individuals?
The council is already considering ways to cut back on contributions to special events like road races and street fairs. Reasonably, million dollar parades would be on the chopping block, too.
Philosopher Thomas Hobbes said the social contract allows people to live together under a government to establish safety and public order. Does a parade for a sports team fall under the social contract? I think not.
But others would argue that sports teams are often the glue that holds a diverse community together. Celebrating that team’s success is celebrating a united people. Surely, more people are aware of the Lakers role in the city’s life and give more thought to the team than they do about most city agencies.
One city resident quoted in the Los Angeles Times declared: “How dare they not have a parade! These guys have worked hard for us.” Wonder if L.A. residents think city workers are working hard for them, as well.
My guess is Los Angeles city residents as a whole see more value in a celebratory parade for a basketball team than many of the services that we are constantly told residents demand.
Whether or not funding the Lakers’ parade makes sense for a city well short of cash, the politicians know what’s good for them. I expect if you put the issue up for a vote funding the Lakers’ parade would pass overwhelmingly.
UPDATE…Due to the protests over the city paying a large portion of the parade costs, some wealthy residents have offered to pick up part of the tab. The mayor will also comment on the situation. Read more in this Los Angeles Times story.