WASHINGTON — As the Washington Redskins begin training camp in Richmond on Thursday, at least two state senators wonder if the team is holding up its end of the deal for taxpayer dollars.
The deal to bring the team’s training camp to Richmond included millions of dollars from the state, and a promise of $500,000 each year from the city that Richmond hoped to cover through sponsorships, volunteers and other credits.
In reality, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the city has had to pay more than $200,000 for each of the camp’s first two years.
State senators John Watkins and Walter Stosch have separately asked for an update from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in September on whether the team is living up to promises made to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration in exchange for a $4 million grant.
The Redskins claim that in addition to the economic impact of holding training camp in Richmond — even if much of the impact stays inside the training camp’s gates — the team has brought Richmond tens of millions of dollars’ worth of exposure.
Their numbers claimed coverage last year was seen more than seven billion times — higher than the number of people on earth.
The team says practices last year averaged about 11,000 fans, but that is skewed by three days of joint practices with the New England Patriots that drew more than 19,000 people each day.
Food trucks operators outside the training camp gates tell the Times-Dispatch they lost money at past training camps. An Arby’s owner across the street says he has not seen as big a boost as he expected.
This year’s training camp includes 13 days of open practices. All are free to attend, but parking nearby costs $10.
Fan appreciation day is Aug. 15.
