Fees for Ravens "Dancers"

Here’s an idea whose time has come.  Baltimore city cannot collect rent nor lease the publicly constructed stadium to the Ravens.  But, they can collect rent from other users of M&T Stadium like rock shows, soccer matches, and lacrosse outings, but the Ravens get away scot free; the Ravens collect on concessions and parking.  The taxpayers of Maryland have provided the Ravens a free store in which to sell their wares. 

Now if a rock star came to town and wanted to perform, the city would collect rent for the use of the stadium.  Now here’s the idea, The Ravens pay ungodly salaries to their performers, so why not collect from these players or these performers for the privilege of showing off their talent in front of a sold out stadium.  Nagata just  signed a contract with $40 million guaranteed and the fans love his dance following any tackle, Ray Lewis enters the field doing some weird dance, and after every touchdown many players get together and dance.  So why shouldn’t the dancers be made to give something back for the use of the stadium? Suppose if each player coughed up say $5,000 for the privilege of “dancing” or performing in our stadium. That’s 60 X 5000 X 10--  I got to sixty by including the dance instructors (coaches).  That’s $300,000 per game and $3 million for the season.  

 Think what could be done with those funds in Baltimore city.  The Swimming pools could be opened in the summer, more schools like Digital Harbor High School could be constructed, and the police and fire wouldn’t have their contracts broken. 

So you think this is a far fetched idea?  Did you know high schools students in the surrounding counties pay a fee to play interscholastic athletics?  Did you know that biddy football players in the recreation programs have to pay to play?  Did you know all college students pony-up extra fees to support collegiate athletics--even though many students neither play nor attend the games? So why not charge the big boys?