When it comes to the Tampa Bay Rays' stadium deal, the conversation can't be reduced to a simple cost-benefit analysis. A recent column argued that "mixed use" developments don't fix the poor economics of sports venues, and while those points are well-researched and compelling, they miss the bigger picture.

The decision to contribute public funds to a sports stadium isn't an algebraic equation. Focusing solely on dollars and cents overlooks the immense civic value a major league franchise brings to a metropolitan area. I'd love to see an example of a city that lost a major sports team and, years later, considered it a net benefit. It simply doesn't happen.

No other business carries the civic clout of a professional sports franchise in America's four major leagues. And among that elite group, Major League Baseball stands out as the most prestigious. The NFL may be the most popular and valuable, but baseball has a unique, time-honored connection to its host cities. Losing the Rays wouldn't just be a financial loss for Tampa—it would be a blow to the region's identity and pride.

For sports fans and the community at large, the stadium debate is about more than balance sheets. It's about the shared experiences, the summer nights at the ballpark, and the sense of belonging that comes with having a home team. That's something you can't put a price on.