Cash generated from such events generally is made for the country it is played out in, through more visitors to its shores who spend on services and accommodation.
But it never reaches the poor. It is only boosting the bank balances of the rich.
It does generate more tax yes, which in my view should be used to benefit our people not thrown into the coffers of a government that taxes the higher earners more than the hard workers on the ground doing the hard yakka - in most cases just for the minimum wage.
My first thoughts when Oracle was fined for cheating while racing against Team New Zealand was the money should come here. I understand some of the fine has been given to the mayor of San Francisco and some to the family of one of the guys killed during match races.
But it was the Kiwi team who were wronged, so in my view the cash should be coming here.
Maybe this fine could be set aside for charity or services like foodbanks and housing for the poor or clothing and bedding grants - that don't have to be paid back. A non-government run agency handling the money.
Remember the hype and frenzy 18 years ago when Sir Peter Blake and Team New Zealand, with Black Magic, beat the Yanks? We were all so proud.
Let's remain proud but never forget there are the less fortunate who we need to support before we put taxpayers money into something that won't benefit them or those most vulnerable in our community.
