Could Building a Casino Solve the New York Mets' Problems?

The New York Mets have had financial issues ever since it was reported that they were a client of Bernie Madoff's after his Ponzi Scheme was revealed. It doesn't seem like a coincidence that the NL team in the Big Apple has struggled since that point, especially since the fire sale last off-season. The Mets had the largest decrease in team payroll in the history of the game, and supposedly lost $70 million in 2012 alone.

When the plans for Citi Field were drawn up last decade, there was initially a space right next door to the park that was supposed to hold a casino owned by Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, the team's owners. The request to build it was denied, and the Metropolitans would probably get the same ixnay if they tried to build it today, although one recent report suggests they're trying it with some help from a Native American group.

The Mets' ownership has offered the city $100 million for the land that the casino would be built on, and it would be operated by the Shinnecock Indian Nation. With a Native American tribe running the casino, it would be legal to have table games at that location.

Wilpon and Katz would like a hotel and close to 2 million square feet of retail space to be part of the development. If they have their way, they could break ground sometime in the future on a path to recouping some of the $162 million lost in the Madoff settlement, and maybe make more money in the long run in a way they may not have considered before.

Building such a large facility would cost a whole lot of money, but if Wilpon's and Katz' intentions are to keep the team (and the property) for the long haul, it very well could put some more money in the their pockets and also expand the Mets' team salary back up over the $100 million per year mark. Between some revitalizing of the minor league system, a few great drafts, keeping up with the joneses in international signings and some extra cash from a move like this, the Mets could again be perennial contenders in the NL East. Just don't expect any of that to happen during David Wright's contract.

It's not easy, especially as a fan to deal with such a long-term plan, but the Amazins' followers could one day reap the benefits if they can put up with a few more years of struggles. If nothing else, at least they're not the Miami Marlins.