Oct 20, 2018 5 min read

Le’Veon Bell is asking for chump change.

I’ve actually lost track of how much he wants to be paid, how much the Steelers offered and how much of their offer was guaranteed, but it doesn’t matter because Bell’s not the greedy one.

Based on the license to print money that the Steelers and every other NFL team has, whatever they’re willing to pay him, it’s probably not enough.

Have you ever seen the details of the Steelers’ lease at Heinz Field? Would you be surprised to learn that they’ll probably end up playing there rent-free?

Every time you buy something in Allegheny County, you pay an extra one percent sales tax that goes to the Sports and Exhibition Authority. That’s used for the yearly $13.4 million bond payments to pay for the construction of Heinz Field and PNC Park. This is after taxpayers voted overwhelmingly against their money being used for them.

The Allegheny Institute took the time to sniff out the details that the rest of the media and most of the corrupt politicians haven’t had the time to do.

If you still think Bell is being greedy, here are a few more details:

The Steelers have a 29-and-a-half-year lease. They get nearly all of the revenue with a minimal lease payment. They’re required to pay $25 million every 10 years. That’s $75 million over 30 years. Keep in mind that their quarterback has a $100 million contract.

They get write-offs on that lease payment for all personal income tax withheld from their employees and employees of any provider of events.

Hello Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.

They also get credit for the taxes paid by players on the opposing teams and for all the sales and use taxes related to the operation of the team. Add to that all taxes paid on alcoholic beverages. This is all language in the lease provided by the Allegheny Institute.

So, what does all of the above mean?

It means the Steelers paid no rent for the first 10 years of the lease and probably won’t pay any for the second or third 10. That’s $75 million more in the Steelers’ pockets courtesy of the taxpayers.

There’s more.

The Steelers get to keep 100 percent from all concession revenues earned at events. Hello again, Kenny Chesney.

They get 100 percent from all novelties and programs. An all of parking revenues and in-stadium advertising.

And if you still think Bell is being greedy, the Steelers and Pirates have the developing rights for all the land between the two stadiums. So, both teams get revenue from the sale or lease of those properties. Maybe you’ve noticed some pretty nice, big buildings on the North Shore.

Still think $15 million a year for the best back in the NFL is too much?

Here’s my favorite. The taxpayers were forced to pay $2.5 million for that nice amphitheater that sits between the two stadiums. Guess who owns it and gets to keep all the revenue? The taxpayers?

Nah. The Steelers.

Twenty years ago the Steelers were worth about $350 million. Today, according to Forbes Magazine, they’re worth $2.48 billion.

Don’t blame the Steelers. You’d take that deal if you could get it. I know I would. Blame the stupid, corrupt politicians. And keep in mind that these are many of the same community leaders who turned down the Penguins’ offer to pay cash for their own arena but decided instead to have the taxpayers pay $350 million for one with many of the same perks that were given to the Steelers and Pirates.

All NFL players, including Bell, are underpaid.

Come to think of it, I think it would be safe to say that everybody who works for the Steelers is underpaid, from the coaches to the secretaries.

Pay the man.

• There were some snide remarks on social media over news that former Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield was interviewing with the Mets. Isn’t he the guy who drafted Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Neal Walker? Without them, the Pirates streak of losing seasons would be up to 25.

• Game 3 of the ALCS went 13 innings and lasted about 5 ½ hours. There were 16 pitchers used. There were 15 hits, 30 strikeouts and 5 runs. Who stays up until 1 :00 a.m. for that?

• Wondering why there are so many injuries and rules to try to prevent them in the NFL? In 1970 there was one 300-pound player in the league. In 1980, there were three.

According to to the Associated Press there were 532 when training camps opened in 2010. The average weight of an NFL offensive lineman today is 312. Last year there only 23 who weighed less than 300 and 39 who weighed at least 320.

That’s not evolution.

Any chance PEDs might be involved?