Germany has other areas that want the event outside of Munich as well

Bavarian Voters Signal Olympic Ambitions

Voters in Munich and across Bavaria have made their position clear. They want the Olympic Games to return to the region in the future. In a recent vote, Bavarians backed an Olympic bid by a two-to-one margin, signaling strong public support for hosting a Summer Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter described the outcome as decisive. “There wasn’t a single outlier. All districts are backing the Olympic bid,” Reiter said. “I believe we can now approach the application with fresh energy and enthusiasm.” The result provides political momentum, but it does not guarantee Munich a place on the global Olympic stage.

Germany’s Internal Competition Comes First

Before Munich can take its case to the International Olympic Committee, it must first clear a national hurdle. In roughly a year, the German Olympic Sports Confederation will determine which region will represent Germany in any future Olympic bid.

Munich is not alone. Berlin, Hamburg, and the Rhine-Ruhr region are all competing for the same designation. Each offers different strengths, infrastructure, and political backing. Public support in Bavaria matters, but the final decision will balance logistics, cost, legacy planning, and international perception.

That internal competition ensures that even overwhelming regional enthusiasm does not translate automatically into an official bid.

History That Cannot Be Ignored

Any German Olympic bid carries historical weight. That reality looms especially large for Munich and Berlin.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics remain one of the most controversial Games in Olympic history. Adolf Hitler attempted to use the event as a propaganda platform to legitimize the Nazi regime and project a carefully controlled image of Germany to the world. That legacy still shapes international discussions around German Olympic bids.

Munich’s Olympic history is equally complex. The 1972 Summer Games were marred by tragedy when members of the Palestinian group Black September murdered 11 Israeli athletes and officials in what became known as the Munich Massacre. The event forever altered Olympic security and left a lasting scar on the city’s Olympic legacy.

Modern Leaders, Familiar Language

In 2023, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner publicly supported hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. He described the bid as an “exceptional opportunity” to present a new image of Germany to the world.

The language is strikingly familiar. In 1936, Germany also sought to reshape its global image through the Olympics. Today’s context is vastly different, but history ensures comparisons will be made.

Germany must convince the international community that it can honor the past while presenting a modern, democratic, and inclusive vision for the Games.

A Complicated Olympic Past

Germany’s Olympic history includes another forgotten chapter. In 1938, the IOC removed the 1940 Winter Olympics from Sapporo, Japan, due to the Sino-Japanese War and reassigned them to Munich. That decision came after Hitler invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia.

The Games never happened. World War II forced their cancellation.

That legacy underscores how global politics and sport often collide, sometimes with lasting consequences.

What Comes Next

Bavaria’s vote reflects enthusiasm, not entitlement. Munich has infrastructure, experience, and public backing. It also carries history that will shape every discussion.

The next step lies with Germany’s Olympic leadership. From there, the world will decide whether Munich’s future Olympic dream can rise above its complicated past.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

The present building in Macon is 58 years old and outdated

Macon Officials Explore New Arena Proposal

The mayor of Macon, Georgia has signaled support for building a new arena in a city of roughly 157,000 residents. Macon ranks as the fourth-largest city in the state, and local leadership believes updated sports and entertainment infrastructure is necessary to remain competitive.

The push centers on replacing the Macon Coliseum, a 58-year-old facility that currently houses the Macon Mayhem, a minor-league hockey team in the Southern Professional Hockey League. The SPHL operates independently, with no direct affiliation to the National Hockey League. While the Coliseum has served the city for decades, officials describe the building as outdated and no longer meeting modern event standards.

Early Planning, No Price Tag Yet

Mayor Lester Miller and the Bibb County Commission have hired Barton Malow Builders to begin early-stage planning for a potential new arena. The project remains in its exploratory phase.

“So basically over the next several months we’ll get some architectural drawings,” Miller said. “We’ll get some rough figures sometime around January, and by the springtime we’ll have the final numbers to bring before commission to vote on.”

At this stage, there is no official cost estimate, no financing plan, and no proposed site publicly identified. What exists is a concept and a belief that a new building could elevate Macon’s standing in Georgia’s event marketplace.

Staying Competitive in a Crowded Market

Mayor Miller framed the proposal as a necessity rather than a luxury. He pointed to other Georgia cities that have recently invested in new arenas.

“We have to stay ahead of the game,” Miller said. “By game, I mean the competition amongst all the other places in Georgia that people have an opportunity to go to. Savannah has a new arena, Augusta has one, Athens has one. Macon-Bibb County has to stay competitive.”

The argument follows a familiar pattern. Cities fear being bypassed for concerts, conventions, and touring events if their facilities fall behind. A new arena, proponents argue, keeps Macon on the list when promoters plan regional stops.

Tourism Promises and Economic Claims

Miller has emphasized tourism as a primary benefit. He argues that visitors drawn to events would spend money locally, generating revenue that could support public services.

According to the mayor, those dollars would “directly benefit citizens through services, better schools, jobs, and lower taxes.”

That claim raises questions. While arenas can generate activity, minor-league sports historically do not create large numbers of high-paying jobs. Most arena employment consists of part-time, per-event work with limited wages and no long-term security.

The Reality of Minor-League Economics

The Macon Mayhem draw a loyal local audience, but they are not a regional tourism driver. Few fans travel significant distances to attend SPHL games. That reality complicates projections built on visitor spending.

Construction jobs would be temporary. Arena staffing would largely be per diem. The long-term economic return remains uncertain, particularly without a major-league tenant or guaranteed slate of high-profile events.

A Notion, Not a Decision

For now, the Macon arena proposal remains an idea rather than a commitment. No cost, no funding source, and no public vote.

What exists is a familiar civic debate. Build to compete, or risk falling behind. Whether taxpayers will ultimately be asked to fund that ambition remains the unanswered question.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Nassau County had high hopes to build a sports hub in Uniondale

A Vision That Never Took Shape in Uniondale

Once upon a time, Nassau County planners imagined a sweeping sports and entertainment hub in Uniondale, New York. The centerpiece would have been a modern arena for the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. Surrounding it, officials envisioned a true 21st-century complex. The 77-acre site would include a minor league baseball park, restaurants, retail space, offices, and residential units. That vision promised revitalization and long-term economic impact. None of it ever materialized.

Today, the old Nassau Coliseum still stands. The surrounding land remains largely untouched. Instead of a transformative sports district, Uniondale is settling for a much smaller project nearby. A 2,500-seat soccer stadium is scheduled to open in 2027. The facility will house Island F.C., a team in MLS Next Pro, a lower-level soccer development league. For a site once discussed as a regional destination, the contrast is striking.

A Much Smaller Stage

The Island F.C. ownership group plans to privately fund the stadium. Construction costs are estimated at $25 million. Developers claim no public money will be required to service the construction debt. While that avoids taxpayer risk, it also highlights how far expectations have fallen.

A 2,500-seat stadium serves a niche purpose. MLS Next Pro functions primarily as a player development league. Attendance remains modest. The economic footprint will be limited. For politicians and business leaders who once promoted Uniondale as a premier sports and entertainment destination, the project represents a significant comedown.

The soccer stadium will sit near the Coliseum site, not on it. The arena that once hosted major league franchises remains disconnected from any broader redevelopment plan.

A Long Line of Failed Redevelopment Efforts

Earlier this year, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation became the latest investor group to walk away from the 77-acre property surrounding the 53-year-old Coliseum. Sands proposed a casino-centered development. The plan included a 4,500-seat concert hall, two hotel towers, and three parking garages. County officials supported the proposal. It collapsed anyway.

This outcome followed decades of similar disappointments. The Coliseum once housed the Islanders and the New York Nets, who played in both the American and National Basketball Associations. Since then, developers have repeatedly targeted the county-owned land. None succeeded.

In 1998, Howard Milstein and Steven Gluckstern purchased the Islanders with plans to build an arena village. That effort failed. Each new proposal revived hopes. Each ended the same way.

Back to the Drawing Board

Nassau County officials now face a familiar reality. The Coliseum remains. The land stays undeveloped. Grand visions keep falling apart. The only certainty is a small soccer stadium nearby that does little to solve the broader problem.

Uniondale once aimed high. It now settles for incremental progress, while one of Long Island’s most valuable parcels continues to wait for a future that never arrives.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com