Atlanta looking at tax on pro sports, concert tickets

ATLANTA - Atlanta officials think fans attending concerts and Braves games could be an answer to the city's budget problems.

Atlanta City Councilman Jim Maddox is proposing legislation to add a $1 fee to tickets for professional sporting events and major concerts held at the city's biggest venues. He hopes the extra money will help fill an expected $140 million budget shortfall.

Maddox and other city officials are looking for ways to avoid a property tax increase proposed by Mayor Shirley Franklin.

Other cities, like Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, charge an ``amusement tax'' on tickets to some pro sporting events.

Atlanta officials have failed several times in recent years to enact such a fee.