The Timbers are "seeking a deal that would exempt them from paying taxes for the next 10 years on tickets for the 4,000 seats it hopes to add" as part of its proposed Providence Park expansion, according to a front-page piece by Jessica Floum of the Portland OREGONIAN. The Timbers are "publicly promoting" the expansion as a "win" for the city. A team exec said the city would receive "millions" in ticket taxes. Timbers President of Business Operations Mike Golub said that if the team is "successful in getting the council to suspend those taxes for a decade, the deal is still a win for the city government anyway." Golub: "If the expansion happens, the city is better off financially. We are putting $50 to $55 million into a city-owned asset." Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler "supports the expansion plans, including the tax break, because the city won't have to pay for it." The city "owns the stadium, and leases it to the Timbers for a rental payment and share of the ticket sales." The Timbers "plan to finance the expansion with private funds, not taxpayer money." The club has been "obligated to pay" a 7% tax on all ticket sales "under an operating agreement with the city." The Timbers have also "paid the city an average rent of $950,000 the last seven years." Meanwhile, Golub said that the investment will also "help Providence Park keep up" with MLS' growing economics. He said that the stadium is "now in the low half of the league in terms of its capacity of 21,000" (Portland OREGONIAN, 5/10).
