Spokane doesn’t need another team

I am appalled that the Public Facilities District is ready to jump in and award an arena football franchise without any consideration for the existing sports franchises in Spokane. There are limited sports dollars to be spent in this small metropolitan area. The Bretts have provided top notch competitive teams with the Chiefs, Indians, and Shadow in the years that they have existed.

If there were no competitive football teams in the area, they may be justified to do so. The EWU Eagles are on the rise, as well as the Whitworth Pirates. Cougar football has provided this area with national pride for the past few decades. The Gonzaga Bulldogs and Cougar football are the closest thing to the big time that we ever have or ever will experience in this area. WSU would not be in the Pac-10 today without Spokane’s investment in Joe Albi Stadium and Spokane’s support for many decades. All these teams deserve our full support in return for the competitiveness and local pride that they have provided this community.

The taxpayers have stepped up to invest in the facilities to house these teams and the PFD has a responsibility to safeguard their financial success without diluting the market. These surrounding colleges provide a far superior game than the bush league that is being proposed. They deserve our support and our limited dollars. Spokane loves the competitive teams and champions that we have been provided and we look forward to more success in the future with our financial support. Please consider the ramifications.

Allan LeTourneau

Spokane