Criticism heightened over taxpayer funds being used for Lakers parade [Updated]

The Los Angeles police officers' union isn't happy with the compromise the city struck with the Lakers to share the costs of Wednesday's parade celebrating the team's world championship victory.

Paul M. Weber, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said the city should not be paying for the parade at a time when workers are facing layoffs and forced furloughs.

Both the team and the city will kick in about $1 million each for the festivities, which for the first time includes the significant cost of renting the Coliseum. The Lakers worked with city officials to keep costs down, including ruling out a weekend celebration or a longer parade, according to Tim Harris, the Lakers’ senior vice president for business operations and chief marketing officer. 

The city will pay for police, transportation and general staff, said Matt Szabo, spokesman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

[Updated at 1:42 p.m.: Responding to the criticism, Villaragoisa said this afternoon that he is seeking private donations to cover most, if not all, of the city's $1-million contribution. Speaking on KTLA-TV Channel 5, the mayor said he has already raised "several hundred thousand dollars" from private donors whose names he did not provide. "We are going to have a parade," the mayor said.]

"At a time of financial crisis, when the public expects -- and quite frankly should demand -- city leaders to be good stewards of every tax dollar, it is foolish for elected officials to favor spending 1 million tax dollars on a three-hour parade," Weber said in a statement. "We have great hopes that the NBA and the Lakers, which made millions during the playoffs, will step up and help fund this celebratory civic event. Everyone loves a parade, but we feel strongly in this case, the Lakers or other private funds should pay for it."

The mayor said Sunday that to not hold a parade “is untenable,” even as city officials have been meeting behind closed doors to find hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts.

The $1-million cost to the city has also come under criticism from some L.A. Now readers.

"Dear Mayor, I understand that you are in a difficult position in that you have tough decisions to make, but why would you agree to pay $1 million for the Laker parade when we are in such difficult economic times?" reader Lena wrote. I do want to state for the record, I am a HUGE LAKER FAN, but unlike many of your employees who are having their work days reduced, I am fortunate enough to be able to make ends meet."

-- Shelby Grad and Amanda Covarrubias

Comments

[Kgoddess]

Congratulations to the Lakers...but do the taxpayers really need to pay for the parade when the Lakers themselves are one of the richest franchises in this town? The Lakers should be paying for the parade...especially considering what they are charging for ticket prices.

[Eric Sievering]

I agree with the police union and others that have complained about the city paying for any of this parade. Even if private donations cover part of the cost, if the city ends up paying 500,000, how many teachers would that pay for for a year? 8, 9, 10? It seems a pretty easy decision not to have one city dollar spent on a parade for what is really a private companies party for their own success. There should be no public money spent on this parade.

Thanks

Eric Sievering
West LA

[LetsGoMets]

The Lakers should pay 100% of the costs for the parade. Charge people a $5 admission fee if they want to watch the parade. Don't spend a single dollar of taxpayer funds on this garbage.

We already lost a ton of money on Sunday night with all the rioting and looting, and the costs of law enforcement on that night.

http://letsgomets.vox.com/library/post/nothing-good-ever-comes-of-lakers-or-dodgers-victories-in-los-angeles.html

[Bruce]

As an added incentive for the NBA Finals, have the losing team pay for the winner's celebration parade. It could come out of the players' salaries. Or, take it out of NBA collected fines for 'flagrand 1 and 2' fouls. Or, assess each seat at Staples Center for the looting damage and parade costs. Just a thought.

[Julie Davine]

It is completely outrageous that the Mayor has agreed fund half of the Laker parade. Our city is suffering financial distress, and he spends $1 million on a meaningless parade?

[Sneha Abraham]

i propose buss or kobe foot the bill. because:

1) it's chump change for them—or if they're too cheap, the entire team & management could all throw in and easily cover it. shoot, jack nicholson could pitch in as well. whether he does or not, none of them would miss it;

2) it's an appropriate gesture to their loyal angeleno fans during a time when the employment rate is this high, most of us are stretched to the limit, and the city is strapped.

i love the lakers—now "step up!"

[Scott]

Mr. Jerry Bus, please move the Lakers to Anaheim (The Pond) and we'll pay for the whole damn parade. You have idiots in L.A., including the not so bright Paul M. Weber, who don't know the value of the Lakers and the revenue the team generated to this city. Please consider moving the team.

[Very simple]

I do not one drop of city dollars going towards this parade and the lazy, violent, drunk thugs without jobs that show up to these things only to riot and cause problems. Hell no.

[CJSinSD]

Are these the same public employees who have bled the life out of the budgets of many municipalities across the southland and the entire country? Suddenly, they develop a fiscal consciousness sufficient to join the hue and cry about the City's celebration for its team? A little good news, fun and civic pride is a badly needed tonic for the econimic ills of the day. Let's find a means to facilitate the parade and avoid allowing this opportunity to become Weber's charade.

[theidahokid]

After the rioting and looting, it showed me what I suspected all along, most LAL fans are thugs.

[bill pearson]

Is this where its all headed? Everytime the city gets invoolved in providing services that involve private enterprise it has to justify itself to some union or association or whateverr? Our tax dollars to pay for a Laker parade?... Sounds good to me. Do you think any of the other NBA cities would trade the cost of a parade to have a championship? Duh! And how many cops were as excited as the rest of us when the Lakers won? There isn't anything that pulls this city together like a sports championship. It make some of the other headaches of living here more tolerable. Give it a rest Mr. Weber; find something else to whine about. Don't be such a party pooper.

[Joe]

Hats off to the Lakers organization and private donors for stepping up! We're just a few dollars short. I know let's have a car wash, donation boxes, etc. I love the Lakers. Former season ticket holder and regular attendee of all the food and drinking establishments surrounding the area. There are plenty of us whom attended Laker games and will continue to attend. We bring $$$$ to the area and I am sure plenty of the green stuff goes towards taxes.

[Mnieves]

Unbelievable that a celebration for a team in which each individual makes a lot of money & there kids have or have had an opportunity for a decent education, will also have the benefit of our tax dollars to help celebrate. This is absolutely absurd.

We are also risking another riot? Have we not learned from making bad decisions?

[Warren]

How about the Lakers and the players cover the expense? The City of Los Angeles doesn't have the money to spend on the Lakers at this time.

[LA]

not a laker fan and don't really feel like fronting my money for these millionaires to parade on the streets... why don't the team players and staff just put up some of their own money????

[Michelle]

It is outrageous that the city is offering to pay anything at all for the parade. Either the Lakers should fund it completely or it shouldn't happen at all. The Lakers is an extremely successful franchise and 2 million dollars is a drop in the bucket for them. They should be ashamed to be asking the City to pitch in. And the Mayor should be ashamed for agreeing to that. The City cannot afford to keep it's employees yet decides to host a party?

[Hard Rock]

TJ Simers, I think you could come up with better post names above than Scott, Julie, Bruce and Eric - while you could be a little more creative when flodding this blog with your negativity, didn't today's column already provide you with that opportunity?

[Michael Devereaux]

The City spending even one dime on thjis parade is an outrage. Over 4000 cityy workerrs are about to be laid off. Thousands of others are being forced on 26 work furlough days. Last night "Laker Thugs" caused thousands in damage, and drained the City's police department. If the Lakers want a parade THEY..not US should pay for the entire thing. I do not want one cent of my hard earned tax money to go to this waste. We need to celebrate because a bunch of guys threw basketballs through a hoop more times than the other team? Who gives a you know what. If the Mayor and City Leaders want this parade, let them pay for it out of their fat salaries!!

[Fred]

Stick us with the bill for this and you will see a real riot (p.s. I am also a Laker fan but we cannot afford this, and this has to go before a lot of other things)

[EDDIE]

NO CELEBRATION FOR THE FANS & TAX PAYERS, BUT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR CORRUPT COPS IN THE L.A. COUNTY! FUNNY!!

[Juan Bernal]

I'm a long-time Laker fan. I have followed them thru victory, defeat, hope,and frustration. How many times did I see them lose to those damn Celtics, before they finally took them? In the 60s I learned to admire and appreciate Chick Hearn's "bird-eye view" radio description of the games. Nobody like him since then.
But the city of LA and the tax payers should not have to pay for the victory parade! Not at a time of great budget shortfalls, reduced services and employee layoffs. The rich owner, Buss, should foot the bill. Maybe others in the NBA making their $millions can also help.

[Cynthia Maxwell]

The City of Los Angeles makes a pile of money off the Lakers. When you take into account the taxes on each ticket purchased, parking fees and that the LA Lakers are the only good thing about Los Angeles, the Police Officers Union should shut up about the cost. Just read that the City Council recently approved $6 million to repair a couple of cages at the LA Zoo, and the union is complaining about spending a few bucks to improve the image of that cess pool they call downtown LA. I do agree with those who say move the Lakers to the Honda Center in Anaheim and you'll wipe out a lot of the stupidity from the gang bangers that we saw last night. But when you have a mayor and city countil that promote LA as a sanctuary city and a police chief that calls these criminals "knuckleheads" what do you expect? LA has gone into the toilet. The only good thing going for it is the Lakers! Congrats Guys!

[Video killed the Radio Star]

Let's have a virtual parade. Everybody e-mail in videos of themselves cheering and shouting (along with their city) and have the Lakers video department film the Lakers on a float, celebrating and reacting. Intercut the two together, then have the parade on a pay-per-view channel for just $2, with the money going to charity.

[JT]

Personally I think that due to the actions of the fans, (Riots and destroying a local store) the Lakers should step up and cancel this victory parade. They seem to be condoning these actions. Not to mention the tax payers having to pay for this "victory" parade. There is no victory for the shoe store owner.

[anthony]

Fans have been pouring into bars, restaurants, staples center, nokia center etc. The downtown renovation has been succesful mainly because of the Staples Center AKA Lakers. The city owes it to the players, fans, media and visitors with the hoopla to have a parade. If the LAPD doesn't want to show up then so be it. We'll have it their way.

[Jason]

To all you HATERS thats almost all of you who wrote on here, if you didnt have a parade you would hacve riots all over los angeles. Bet you that costs more than a million dollars. Lakers stay in Los Angeles FOREVER!!!! Stop hating, stop whining and stop crying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Jane]

not only should the Lakers pay for this to help out their beloved city, but at the main event they should announce how they are going to use a percentage of their profits for the next five years to help out LA city schools. Go Lakers!

[Jenn]

In light of last nights tyrany - I can not believe the City is proud to stand behind this parade. How do we teach people who can't behave themselves over "victory" to behave at yet another event.

Private donations to pay for this parade - I think the City Controller should investigate that. If no one is willing to provide their name for this occassion - well - I guess those people are not really donating.....tax payers are not "private doners".

[Patricia]

Congrats Lakers, but the shameful display last evening in Los Angeles by so called fans cancels out any parade for the Lakers. The great feeling after such a win completely disappeared when we saw these thugs - and we are paying for what? No Way.

[CYNTHIA REED]

I love my Lakers - CONGRATULATIONS! and as for you City of Anaheim you can't have them for your POND, that would be to murky!

But, truly my pockets are empty and I can't afford to fund this PARADE. This is not the City's Money and it should not be just the decision of the MAYOR! This money belongs to us ANGELENO's and I truly believe if the LAKER'S want us to celebrate them with our presense by having a parade, then they should fund it and send out invitations.

[Fred Montez]

I can't believe what Im reading here. . . Don;t any of you realize, the tens of millions of dollars of revenue that Staples Center has pumped into our local economy ?

I might not be laid off, but I grew up in the area around Staples Center, and I for one think the city owes this Million dollar tab to the team that basically helped rejuvenate the area, and made it safe for us locals to walk around there at night.

Besides, its a tradition, we LA sports fans pump so much money into this economy, and have continued to, through tough times, that it would be an insult to bill the team. I understand charging for damage due to the afterparty, but for the city to say they're not gonna foot the bill for a parade, after one of the Citizens' favorite basketball teams, is just bull.

I think anybody that remembers what the area around Staples center was like before the whole civic center revival, would have to agree. For those of you who haven't been here that long, it was REALLY bad. now, hipsters rub elbows with stars in what used ot be a scaled down skid row.

We won a championship. There's only one. and its ours. Lets celebrate.

[Alan]

The City of Los Angeles and the Mayor have a double standard. The City does not charge the Academy Awards and Laker's for the cost but charges the LA Marathon. With multi-million salaries the Lakers can pay the cost of the parade!

[Louie]

As a die hard Trailblazers fan who relocated to Los Angeles for work, I am outraged at the thought of my tax dollars going toward anything associated with the Lakers. If the city owned the team that would be one thing, but this is a privately owned franchise with more than enough cash to pay for a parade themselves if that's what they really want.

[D]

so a few idiots give the millions of good laker fans a bad name? jesus. these disturbances happen in every city across the world when a beloved team wins. am i condoning this behavior? hell no. its stupid and the people involved should be punished.

The Lakers, the Laker fans, Staples center etc all bring in millions to the city via taxes and lets not forget how much good the Lakers success and the name do for the city of Los Angeles. There are going to be millions of happy people on the streets celebrating at the parade. this is a civic event that should absolutely be covered by the city. victory parades, marathons, the oscars, all of these events tie together this city, and because a few people decide that the parade isnt for them, they want to rain on the fun for the millions of fans. All those people who are going to attend will have to eat somewhere, take the trains, etc etc all pumping money into the city.

[TKI]

As if our city doesn't look bad enough already! First the ridiculous looting and rioting after the game last night and now this squabbling over funding a parade. Why are there so many idiots and morons out there over-running our streets and our government!
There are way more law abiding citizens and fans in Southern California, however only the idiots and gang bangers make it on tv. Can someone please ship all these idiots and the idiots who supposedly raised them to an island in the middle of the Pacific.

[dave9]

The Laker organization should reimburse that shoe store owner, 140 grand is a few minutes of game time for any of them.

[Mitch Davis]

If the Angels win the World Series, wil LA pay for the parade?

[frank]

I totlaly agree, I love the LAkers, but i haven't been to a game at Stables since 2002, I can't afford a ticket, i rather pay for food, and bills and i have cable. I agree the LAKERS should step up to the plate and pay for the parade. I think as fans we deserve a little payback. They're rich, I'm sure just the people who can afford the floor seats wouldn't have a problem with the cost. We need teachers more that a parade. I am a devoted lakers and Dodgers fan-and after what happen last night, those same hoodlums that created havac would be at the parade looking for excuse to do it again.

[chancesr]

Congratulations Lakers on your championship!! That being said, I am a city worker facing furlough days in July. The Mayor and City Council have been negotiating an early retirement plan for the past 18 months and now the City is able to come up with a million dollars for a parade. The Lakers and or the NBA can afford to foot the bill.

[fabgear]

Let them pay for their own horn blowing parade

[Karl in Burbank]

The city should pay the looted shopholders before holding a parade. They let the riot get out of hand so they wouldnt get sued like every other time.

[Vic]

Are you serious? These fans give the team AND civilized fans a bad name. I don't even live in LA (nor a LAker fan but not hating on anyone) I know what a riot is, I live right next to Oakland. And it does not matter how small or big a riot is. They should use that money to either pay for the damages to people's personal property (vehicles and store owners because imagine if it was yours) or to fix up the city itself.

I agree with a lot of everyone's comments on here. It's encouraging and pretty much implying that it is ok to be idiots and ruin it for everyone else.

We are trying to make cities like this a better place. It's time to stop being selfish and make things better for the city in the long-term.

[Billy]

It's the unions that are draining this economy dry, not the Lakers or that idiots who rioted last night.

[B Clemenb]

balance the city budget, then you can have a parade.
To think that we're laying off teachers but we have money for this?
Ridiculous.

[Fletch]

If these bums don't want the city to pay for a parade, then I hope the Lakers just say "thanks, but no thanks". The parade is for the city and fans, more than it's for the team. No dinero? Fine, no parade.

[Alex Justice]

The ring that Kobe bought for his wife to make up for cheating on her cost twice as much as the parade. Let him pay for it. He makes $20 million a year and could pay for 10 parades like this. Basically this is his parade anyway, since he will be the main star adored by the crowd.

[AmyKohl]

I agree with the comments made by JT. The Lakers and our city officials should be canceling the parade because of the riots and the looting. A parade is condoning and encouraging the bad behavior. Any parent or teacher or therapist knows that when children misbehave (or in this case thugs), the last thing you want to do is reward them. It's reinforcing bad behavior. If the parade continues, I won't be surprised if there is more craziness.

[Luis]

"the team's world championship victory." The last time I checked the NBA is not a world league.

MAKE THE LAKERS PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF SELF PROMOTION.

[Javier Vital]

A parade is wanted and a pared is expected but it is not fair to have such a large budget come out of the peoples tax money. There is thousands of people getting laid off and thousands of families suffering the consequences. It is only fair if this event is sponsored or donated by the big people such as the NBA the LAKERS TEAM and all who benefit from these types of events. In times like these we all must look out for each other. Congratulations LAKERS you made us all proud last night!!

Javier Vital

[Matt]

Under no circumstances should the city pay one cent toward the Lakers parade. The purpose of a victory parade is not for the fans to demonstrate their support for the team, but for the team to thank the fans for the time, effort, and money they have expended over the past season. And accordingly, the team should foot the bill. Anything else is scandalous and just highlights the misguided notion among the Lakers players and organization of what the parade actually represents.

[Leeroy]

Why doesn't Kobe just pay for the whole parade. He can certainly afford it, unlike the City of L.A.

I just have to wonder .. if private people and/or businesses are that financially flush as to be able to afford large donations for a b.s. parade, maybe they should consider tossing some of that extra money towards important stuff like, oh, schools or feeding the poor/homeless or literacy programs?

I know. That's just crazy talk!

[Sandra]

@ Alan, interesting point about the city charging some events but not others. I didn't know that. Who decides who pays and who gets services for free? Who paid for last weekend's gay pride festivities? Did the city ever bill Britney Spears for the expense of her ambulance escorts?

On the one hand, the Lakers franchise does bring money to the city, but on the other hand, it's a huge money maker for itself as well. I think the responsible thing for the Lakers to do would be to cover the entire cost. What's an extra $1M if they've already agree to pay half?

[jill]

I agree that the city should get private sponsors to foot all or most of the city's half of the bill of a million bucks -- it's a great opportunity for sports-affiliated companies like running shoes, Gatorade/powerade, even general services and food companies, anything with a mass appeal.

The Mayor is right on his approach there, while Perry and Parks were too lacking in imagination. Neither saying we'll pay half nor that we won't have a parade at all is the answer. Every other city would have a parade, certainly Orlando would have if the Magic had won, so it would look pathetic if L A didn't have one. We can't let a few hundred idiots who rioted ruin everything but because of them we'll have to have the cops and Sheriffs out in force just in case and that will be expensive.

HOWEVER PAUL WEBER OF THE POLICE PROTECTIVE LEAGUE SHOULD NOT BE THE ONE WHO CALLS THE SHOTS AND TELLS THE CITY, MAYOR OR CITIZENS WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO SPEND OUR MONEY. He's a UNION HEAD LIKE ANY OTHER AND HAS NO INTEREST IN THE GREATER GOOD OF THE CITY, JUST WHAT'S GOOD FOR HIM. He just spent $700,000 in an election of his cops' hard-earned money, without the approval of many or most of them, just because he favored a candidate who was conservative suburban Republican like himself, and is in a power struggle with his own Chief of Police.

Weber voted against the Mayor and the guy who've done most to advance police hiring, and now those on the Budget Committee headed by former cop/chief Parks want to slow hiring and Weber is urging taxpayers to email/ phone City Hall and the Mayor not to renege on their commitment of adding 1000 cops. Weber is too dumb to know that it takes a majority vote on council and he lost his strongest support -- so now he's meddling again in the media and fear-mongering in his email blasts. We shouldn't pay the million but not because Weber has any business telling us what to do.

[ay]

This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. How much revenue does the city of LA get from the Lakers, both directly and indirectly? Where would the Downtown revitalization project and all the property tax that comes with it be without the Lakers and Staple Center. Think about how many city employees those revenue paid for all these years when you're cutting that $1 million check for the parade. Then think about how many other cities in the US would kill to have the Lakers call them home and how much they would willingly pay to get them to move.

[Joel Delman]

I am incensed that you would spend over a million dollars of taxpayers money for a parade honoring athletes who all make over a million dollars a year when the city is nearly broke, you are laying off employees, cutting back on programs and repairs, and still raising our taxes. The Lakers, the NBA, and the players should pay for this parade if they want one; and, or you can sell sponsorship rights to Nike, etc.

And who do you think is going to come to this parade? Just the same uneducated, degenerate, non law abiding "citizens" who rioted last night, costing the city an additional hundred thousand dollars or more.
Those of us that pay taxes and have jobs will be WORKING, not attending a parade, whose main function will be to create a podium for those politicians like the Mayor and Bernard Parks, who have a total disregard for fiscal responsibility.

No, I am not a sit at home grandma. I am an athlete and sports fan who watched every game. And this is the first letter I have ever written to a political figure. I am sure you will screen this and he will never see it but trust me that if there is a parade, I will do all I can as a private tax-paying citizen to see that he and Parks will never again be elected to public office.

[EngrGuy]

Clearly the Lakers organization should pay for the parade in its entirety. After all, isn't the parade a type thanks to, and recognition of Lakers fans, for Lakers fans? The very same people who support the team financially all season? The taxpayers of this city shouldn't be on the hook for this expense. Hey, wealthy basketball team, show us the money!

[Jeff]

1 million dollars is pennys compared to the million of dollars that the city earned off the staples center and the nokia center. Millions of dollars used to employ many people and keep many business going. What about the tee shirt and flag industry. A million dollars is the least they city could do. For those city employees on the gravy train that wil not be out of work, go find a real job. As for the lakers, you would be appreciated in Anaheim. What would city employees say if you were to move to Anaheim. In fact I think you could have your parade in Anaheim this week and there would be great turn out.

[thecanimal]

Los Angeles is just another 3rd World Country. Let the rebellion commence.

[metermanq]

Congratulations to the Lakers number 15 victory and Phil Jackson for victory number 10. Everyone loves a winner and everyone loves a parade.
Once again Mayor Tony flip-flops and this time it’s on spending for the parade. The Los Angeles taxpayer should have never been involved for any expenses. This also goes for Oscar’s, Emmy’s, and any other private event in the city. This track record shows us all how free spending this Mayor and City Council has been.
The result’s are in and we are paying higher rates and fees and receiving less services. They are not doing their fiduciary responsibilities. The Lakers and their sponsors should have taken it upon themselves to pay for the parade. They lobbied for the city money first which shows nothing but greed. Didn’t AIG get enough benefits from our city and taxpayers for Staples and L.A. Live?

[Janet]

DON'T REWARD BAD BEHAVIOR. These same gang bangers will be at the parade causing our officers injuries and harm to innocent people. Just have a rally at the coliseum and that's it. The Mayor should be ashamed of himself for not condemning what happened last night. What a sorry loser as a Mayor not to say a word or to ask for calm on Wednesday. This is the reason he will never be elected Governor.

[Manny M]

The city of los angeles should not pay for the victory parade due to the money shortage, the ownership of the L.A. Lakers should cover the cost of the parade. Also at the parade the los angeles police dept. shloud have arrest booths like they have at Raiders games so they can arrest these gangbangers that show up to the parade and cause trouble.

[canoeman]

why dont we ask the spoiled millionaire players to foot the bill to pat them selves on their backs
MY VOTE
NO TO USING CITY MONEY FOR A BUNCH OF PAMPERED MILLIONAIRES SO THEY WILL FEEL GOOD.
SCREW THEM
PAY UP PUNKS.

[Karen]

I LOVE THE LAKERS, BUT MY SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT. THE MAYOR DOESN'T THINK SO! THAT'S WHY THEY ARE PAYING FOR A PARADE AND LETTING OUR 9-1-1 CALLS GO UNANSWERED THIS SUMMER! THIS IS NOT THE MAN I WANT FOR GOVERNOR.

[L.A. City Woker]

For you City workers like me. You will understand this

If we all took 4 hours of unpaid time to go to the parade it will help fund it.

This is how the Mayor plans on paying for the parade.

[Dr. Bocanegra]

I know that this is a very difficult time for everyone and the economic downturn has put us all under financial pressure, but the one escape for many of us through these difficult times has been sports. As a lifelong Lakers fan, I will never forget the pride I felt as a young girl, watching our city celebrate a team that has provided us with a legacy unmatched by any other team in Los Angeles. We pay taxes and expect results-instead all we've seen is bickering and cuts to education, health care, and non-profits that make our city a better place. Why not see something for us?

Casual and dedicated fans alike should take pride that at least for one day we are not the center of attention over our failing budget, high foreclosure rates, and so-called "riots" when a handful of knuckleheads get drunk and act a fool. A parade is a time for fun, togetherness, and pride-so relax and spend an hour to focus on the positives in life. For some of us-our team is our pride! Let's enjoy the ride together...

[JC]

Lakers want a parade, then they can foot the entire bill and pay for all the damages and looting from last night.......it's their idiotic fans that did all this crap............

[brett]

Great.. just what we need.. a bunch of drunk idiots reeking havoc at a parade and we have to pay for it.

[Juan]

Why is everyone complaining about the city paying the 1 million dollars for the parade? All the money that the pubs, bars, restaurants, and sports stores made during the playoffs is a nice boost the LA economy. By having a laker's parade it should generate more money for the local businesses.
Stop your whining and look at the big picture for once.

[MNC303536]

The whole team should pay up. Where in a financial crisis and my tax dollars towards this? Give the money to the people that need it like police, fire fighters, or the city workers getting laid off.
They won yaaaa, nice job go home now.

[Allison]

How is it that Villaraigosa can raise hundreds of thousands for a Lakers parade but not be able to find those donors for teachers or parks?

In normal times, a parade is justified for the revenue and pride that the Lakers bring tto Los Angeles, but with climbing deficits and teacher layoffs, this is a bad decision on how to spend rapidly dwindling funds.

There's a time and a place. LA may be the place, but this isn't the time.

[Laker Fan]

Ok I’m a Lakers fan and think it would be nice if they flip the bill but come on let’s get real. Out of 3.8 million people here LA we can pay 50cents out of our pockets to see our team show us love.

Come on

[no sanctuary]

One mil is chump change for the mayor. Doesn't he send $500k annually to his friends in Guadalajara for a 'book fair', not to mention dozens of his special interest expenditures detailed on WlaterMooreSays.com.

[swf]

Fingerprint and photgraph the attendees who want to get into the celebration to catch looters, gangbangers and parole violators. That would be worth $1 million to the city.

[Whatevah]

Thanks for stealing 1 Million from taxpayers. CA is $ 24 BILLION in DEBT!! Lakers should pay for all of it, they're stinking rich!!

[halapeño]

Too bad they can't delay the parade til Saturday. I'd drive in from out of town, spend the night at a hotel in downtown, buy food and lots of souvenirs and celebrate with all the other Laker fans. But I work on Wednesday and can't get it off.

Oh well. Have fun.

[Sandy Shin]

Whatever happens, and whoever pays for the parade (though I think it should certainly be the Lakers/owners/NBA, NOT the city), I think there should be a statement released from the organization, or from the players themselves denouncing the violent and shameful acts from the "celebrations" last night. Looking through the pictures of the riots, you can see most of the fans had smiles on their faces as they destroyed police cars, businesses, and even trees! It was disturbing! And how much more will these damages cost the city?

These players are some of the biggest and most visible role models today, and their fans have to be told that their conduct was unacceptable. It was embarrassing for the city, embarrassing for the team, and many people's livelihoods have been seriously hurt because of these idiots. Yay, the Lakers won. But, what a price we've paid for this joyous occasion...

[Ron]

Lakers should come to Seattle la already has the clippers dodgers angels hope they don't win the world series you don't see penguins complaining second parade they've had first with steelers just glad the season is over lucky la has the dodgers or wouldn't have any money

[Rob R Barron]

Let Kobe pay. Then he can pay to have himself carried around downtown on a sedan chair lifted up above the heads of the minions who pay for his salary.

[KADAFI]

OBVIOUSELY NONE OF YOU GUYS ARE TRUE LAKER FANS.. WE CELEBRATE SOMETHING THAT SOMETIMES MOST CITIES WILL NEVER GET TO EXPERIENCE!.. ALSO IF THE PARADE WAS NOT HELD THERE WOULD BE WORST CONSEQUENCES WITH A LOT I MEAN A LOT OF ANGRY FANS.. AND ITS GOOD FOR THE CITY TO PAY FOR ALL THESE MARATHONS ND STREET EVENTS .OK IF YOU GUYS SAY SO..

[val]

i am disgusted. Maybe they will give all city & county employees a furlough day so they can enjoy the parade.

[Kirk]

Why dont they open the concession at the colisium and try and recup some of the expenses.

[Alan L]

How pathetic would it be for a professional sports organization, and arguably one of the most recognizable in the world, to not get a parade for winning their championship. LA would be the laughing-stock of the nation, if not the world. I'm not saying its not a bitter pill to swallow, especially in light of our current economic environment, but it would be pretty pitiful if the city didn't put on this celebration. The lakers are willing to pay for half the thing, which I think is a fair offer. The lakers are an LA institution, and I would argue one of the few things that the city can actually be proud of. It's ghetto fans who rioted after the win are more a reflection of the low quality of some of this city's people, but certainly not everybody, and not of the Lakers. If someone offered to pay for half your wedding, would it be right to demand they pay for the whole thing since they have more money than you? of course not (unless you were one of the ghetto rioters i guess). the ironic thing for me is that I'm not even a laker fan. i get that everyone is freaked out about our current fiscal mess... but if the lakers foot 50%, and the city can scrounge up some donations, that's a win-win in my book.

[Derek]

Im from Boston, we have had a few parades of late, and tradition matters. Throw the parade and stop crying.

[Eric E.]

Not everyone is a lakers fan, and we all should not be on the hook for this parade. let the lakers pay for their own celebration, and while they are at it, they can pay for the damage their hoodlum fans caused last night. Big surprise, since a star player is a felon (oh wait, he got away with it), that a bunch of their fans are apparent felons.

[Garza]

No seriously, 1 million dollars. Antonio wants to fire 2000 employees and cut 10 percent from the rest? Really, you suck Antonio. How about this, you fire your entire 92 person staff and then there could be your 1 million dollars right there. 92 people! Really, you need a 92 person staff.

[joe]

IWe just had a gay pride parade, and have plenty of other parades and protests. Who pays for that?

[D.Woodward Van Nuys.]

I find it absolutly horrible that the city of L.A is paying for the lakers parade.Let the lakers and there rich fans pay for this total waste of time.P.S.I'm not a fan of the lakers or any kind of sports,i findit totally stupid to see people drivingaround with those silly lakers flags flapping from there cars.

[Sharon Jacobucci]

Oh, wow, the Mayor can get anonymous donors to foot the bill for the Lakers parade but somehow can't raised one lousy dime for our laid off teachers; and the employees of the City who will experience a tremendous financial hardship starting in July 2009. Unbelievable!!!!

You mean, those handsome millionaires in their cute colorful shorts get a huge expensive celebration while city workers and teachers suffer huge losses in their pay checks?

WoW!!!! One team takes the ball while the other team gets slammed by the ball.. Now, that's going to be one amazing party..

Yes, we should take one for the winning team... However, I pray the Lakers give one for their own losing team... Their fans. Now, that's one celebration worth giving for...

So, what's the score now? Are the Lakers still ahead by 100 points? Or are our children on the sideline by the hundreds affected by teachers who aren't able to teach 'em because of a MILLION dollar basketball parade .

Let's have one more playoff to settle the debt to the workers of Los Angeles. So, MAYOR, are you listening to the constituency of basketball fans deserving a continuing source of wealth that may be exhausted if it is misused?

[Whatever]

Our city is broke, is firing workers and cutting city workers hours, and services are cut.

If the Lakers want to have a parade, that's great. However, right now the Lakers are much richer than the city, as an organization and as extremely highly paid individuals. It is unacceptable for the city to pay for any of those expenses; the mayor should know that we have much higher priorities that could use a million dollars right now.

[Cristina Gray]

Mr. Mayor, you don't need to seek private donations from other people. Just be a man and tell the Lakers to take care of ALL the cost of the parade. The City already spent money for the clean up of last night's ugly celebrations.

[Barbara]

Wow....I am SHOCKED that the city of LA would agree to pay one dime of this parade when we are laying off city workers, teachers, services are being slashed, etc. We are in a RECESSION!!! Why in God's name would the city agree to this ridiculous use of taxpayer money?????? I am really angry and upset about this, and I don't even live in the city of LA. The Lakers or the NBA should pay for this - they are flooded with money and have made millions during the playoffs. They should pay 100% for this parade, not the fans who pay with the tax dollars!

[Mik Marie]

Ok, really, Alan L.?? Your little analogy of the wedding is absurd. You have the parties mixed up. It would work if you phrased it like this: I am a multi-millionaire. I am an amazing catch. I have been married once already in the last 10 years, I am really good at it. I have obtained the opportunity to do so again, and I expect tax payers to pay for half. Wait...my wedding...my bill. I suppose my parents could pay for part of it...but oh wait, that would be like the Lakers having their organization pay for it...definitely not the taxpayers (or wedding guests - who of course should attend my wedding, but not pay for it simply because they think I am pretty sweet). Ok, so glad we got that figured out for you.

No one is arguing that a parade in and of itself is a bad idea. Yay for them, they won the championship, by all means lets celebrate. I, however, living in an economy that is keeping myself and my husband from getting standard cost of living raises (pittance compared to the thousands upon thousands losing their jobs), do not think it is right to have to pay for it. Seirously? Do you have to have the coliseum Lakers? Well, if you want a little more extravagance, feel free to have it, more power to you. But for crying out loud why don't you throw your own party? Take a little stroll out of your insane multi million dollar making neighborhood to where the rest of us live and then explain to me why I should have to pay for it? It makes NO SENSE.

[Debbie Reiss]

The Staple Center with their Big Screen TV threw the party for those stupid gang banger morons.
Let Staples Center pay for all the damage.
No, to the parade for saying it's alright for how you morons celebrated a ball game winning.
Keep it in the stadium where they can all stab each other to death and do us all a favor.

[Adriana]

The Lakers worked extremely hard and earned this parade. It's happening no matter who likes it. I am a HUGE Laker fan and I think it's unfair for most of the people on here to say that the fans who will be able to attend are unemployed, thugs, losers, etc. Yes I agree that the rioting after the win was completely foolish and unnecessary but I do not believe it's fair to take that out on fans who know how to behave and not act like a total idiot. Yes it's a lot of money but I think everyone should try and have fun during these tough times. Plus the revenue that the team brings in for our city and the fact that a lot of the businesses will benefit from the huge crowd that will turn up and will no doubt be spending money in their establishments.

I have a job, I pay taxes and I think that this parade is great idea. Apart from the people who acted horribly during the riot it helps bring people together and brings people a little happiness and there is NOTHING wrong with that. I'm sure everyone has gone out and spent quite a bit of money that they could have put to better use in the spirit of enjoying themselves for a little while. They could even have everyone that goes donate $1 to help pay for the event.

It's one day out of the year...let people have some fun.

[karena]

There's only one legitimate place I've found to watch it live, the rest seem like scams.. You can watch it over here though: http://vostuu.com/watch28015.html

They make you do a little survey but after that it's good to go :)

[Mr. R]

SO, when 2000 teachers lost their jobs WHY didn't the Mayor and the rest of you guys get on the phone and say hey lets put some money together so the kids can grow up to read and get a job to buy a ticket to see the Lakers instead of burning down the city,

The priority man is waaaaay off.

Mr. R.

[mrs j. s]

Im so dissapointed in this decision why did the mayor agree to this so so so dumb at this point he should be thinking of all the poor families, children and homeless people who are suffering because of the economic crises we are in. why didnt he put his own millions of dollars instead of funding it with the cities money.

[A.B.]

@ scott: how dare you call us angelinos idiots!!! we are not idiots none of us are perhaps you are for making such a stupid comment. us angelinos are just concerned in regards to the economic crisis just keep this in mind the world is round one day you are on top the next the day you can be at the bottom.