Latest Issue. Past Issues. The train travels south, dips underground through downtown Oakland, hangs a froom around Lake Merritt, and resurfaces in Fruitvale. I and my fellow passengers walk over the sloping concrete bridge, where vendors hawk tickets, T-shirts, and beers amid the din of train whistles and street drummers, and we merge with other fans. We all go inside, having given our money to John J. Money has to change hands. To help hw, cities fund public infrastructure to facilitate commerce. But whereas nearly every other business funds the construction of its facilities and pays taxes too, cities often give money to private pro-sports franchises to entice them to come, and then give them even more to stay.