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Even if you're a casual sports fan or concert goer, you may have heard about the oncoming of 'paperless ticketing', a concept implemented primarily by ticket giant Ticketmaster. What exactly is paperless ticketing?

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It has become common knowledge in the world of sports that new stadiums and arenas rarely yield the economic impact forecasted. Take for example, Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Cincinnati Bengals which created a debt Cincinnati taxpayers will have looming over their heads for years to come. And although the city of Detroit still has a fragile economy, hockey town's Joe Louis Arena has began to show it's age after it's 33rd season.

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Many basketball franchises have begun to keep up with the Jones' when it comes to the need for a new arena and the Golden State Warriors are next on the list. By 2017, the Golden State Warriors will have a new arena located on the scenic San Francisco waterfront in a neighborhood known as Piers 30-32. The construction costs for the new arena are expected to range anywhere from $450 million to $500 million making it one of the most expensive arenas in the NBA. 

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Economists suggest that there is little evidence suggesting that the construction of sports venues create a positive impact on a city's economy. However, Seattle is choosing to ignore that theory and has finally reached an agreement on a new multi-purpose arena in the SODO section of town.

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May has been a historic month for the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. Shortly before edging out the Nashville Predators for a Western Conference Final berth,  a well-credentialed businessman has agreed to purchase the franchise that filed for bankruptcy three short seasons ago.

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See how much money it cost to build your favorite NHL team's home arena. 

1. American Airlines Center - $420 (M)

2. Staples Center - $375 (M)

3. Prudential Center - $375 (M)

4. PPG Paints Arena - $321 (M)

5. Bell Centre - $270 (M)

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See how much money was spent on constructing your favorite Major League Ballpark. 

1. Yankee Stadium - $1.5 (B)

2. Citi Field - $900 (M)

3. Nationals Park - $611 (M)

4. Rogers Centre - $570 (M)

5. Marlins Park - $550 (M)

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See how much money was spent on constructing your favorite NBA arena. 

1. Barclays Center - $1+ (B)

2. Amway Center - $480 (M)

3. American Airlines Center - $420 (M)

4. Staples Center - $375 (M)

5. Air Canada Centre - $265 (M)

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NFL Stadiums. They're the largest venues in professional sports though they're structures are all very similar in dimension and capacity. Here is a list of the 31 NFL stadiums and their construction costs. See how much it cost to build your favorite football team's home stadium.

1. Metlife Stadium - $1.6 (B)

2. AT&T Stadium - $1.3 (B)

3. Lucas Oil Stadium -$720 (M)

4. Soldier Field - $632 (M)

5. Lincoln Financial Field - $512 (M)

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Cities like Seattle, Quebec City, Hartford, Hamilton and Long Island have long been pursuing funding to build a new hockey arena. Surprisingly, the newest NHL arena could be erected in a city that already has a franchise. The Toronto suburb of Markham has just approved the construction of a $300 million arena which may or may not lure an NHL franchise in the future.

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Few NFL fans are probably aware that the NFL Ticket Exchange is a formed partnership between the NFL and ticket giant Ticketmaster. Since it's founding in 2008, the partnership's profits have multiplied extensively. So much that the NHL ticket exchange has also been launched.

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Once upon a time, the only canine that could be found at a baseball stadium was Schottsie at Riverfront Stadium. Schottsie was the lovable Saint Bernard, owned by Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott. And back then, that was a pretty odd sight. No wait a minute, a goat at Wrigley Field...now that's an even odder sight.

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With the Minnesota State Legislative session nearing it's end, the Minnesota Vikings are homeless and in dire need of a new NFL stadium. Upon the expiration of the franchise's lease with the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome last season, the Vikings are expected to share TCF Bank Stadium with the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers until a new stadium is constructed. 

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When browsing various forums and online help services, it became obvious to me that not every sports fan is hip to the online ticket resource StubHub. I say resource only because Stubhub is not a ticket broker. Founded in 2000 by two former Stanford MBAs, Stubhub is essentially the middle man marketplace between the ticket seller and the ticket buyer. 

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Cincinnati Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty once stated that to be successful in baseball, a team must have a core group of players and then you add to the mix free agents and minor league prospects. Within the past two weeks, the former St. Louis Cardinals GM is making it obvious just who the Reds consider their core. After outfielder Jay Bruce's contract was extended thru 2016 last year, Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips will now both likely play in Cincinnati for the rest of their careers. 

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When hedge fund guru and Seattle native Chris Hansen expressed his plans to bring two additional sports franchises to Seattle, the city was filled with excitement. Hansen's group of investors would foot most of the bill for the construction of a new multi-use arena while the city would contribute it's share.

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It's been six short years since Houston Texans GM Charley Casserly made one of the boldest moves in NFL draft history. Reggie Bush, Matt Leinhart and Vince Young were can't miss prospects and former college football royalty. Instead, the Texans opted for the physically gifted Mario Williams out of North Carolina State University.

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It's been 17 long years since professional hockey was played in Colisse de Quebec; former home of the Quebec Nordiques. When attendances dwindled and the Canadian dollar began to weaken, the franchise fell upon hard times because the players' salaries were paid in American dollars. Almost two decades later, it looks as if the city has a legitimate shot at reclaiming their former franchise via an expansion or relocation. A relocation would be much cheaper for all parties involved.

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The NFL's most talked about player will begin play in the league's largest stadium this fall. What Tim Tebow brings to the New York Jets isn't exactly out of this world talent, but instead, a fan base that's going to be intrigued by his name on the roster. As of 2012, there is currently a waiting list to become a New York Jets season ticket holder which means that there are more than 80,000 season ticket holders for Jets games. 

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With more than $100 million already committed to 8 Phillies players in 2013, it will be very unlikely that the Philadelphia Phillies will be able to extend the 2008 World Series MVP. At the age of 29, it is imperative for him to get every dime he can get out of the ball club. It's not that the Phillies don't want to keep Cole Hamels in a Phillies uniform. This is a numbers game and both Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay are inked in for more than $20 million next season.