Arena Has Budget Problems

Nationwide Arena's second year of public ownership could end in red ink. The Columbus Arena Management Board projects a 200-thousand-dollar shortfall at the end of the next fiscal year, based on the gap between ticket sales and expenses. Board members say they will use a surplus from this past year to cover the shortfall. Columbus and Franklin County officials pledged up to 32 percent of casino tax revenue to buy the arena. Columbus voters four times have rejected public financing of arenas. The board includes members of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio State University, and Nationwide insurance.