Since Bret Adams and Mike Gonidakis announced their fight against Columbus' 5 percent tax levies on admission tickets to raise money for the arts and Nationwide Arena repairs, many have wondered who else is behind the effort.

The list they recently submitted to The Dispatch includes national concert promoters AEG and Live Nation, as well as Feld Entertainment, which produces Disney shows that come through Columbus.

Local opponents include Studio 35 on Indianola Avenue and venues such as Express Live, Union, Axis, Flannagans and the Newport. They said the National Association of Theatre Owners also opposes the taxes, as well as Danny Wimmer Presents, which is producing the three-day Sonic Temple Festival at Mapfre Stadium in May.

Join the conversation at Facebook.com/dispatchpolitics and connect with us on Twitter @OhioPoliticsNow

The opponents plan to spend close to $104,000 to collect the 11,030 valid voter signatures necessary to put the issue on the May or November ballot, including hiring a suburban Detroit company, SMI Enterprises.

"There's not a single source of funding; there are multiple sources of funding. All will be disclosed as the law requires," said Gonidakis, of Advocates for Responsbile Taxation (A.R.T.). Tax opponents said they will have a full list of opponents when they file paperwork for the political action committee they are forming.

On Friday, the Columbus city attorney's office determined that the charter amendment petition's language conformed with the city charter.

"We have a list of over 100 people that are ready to go circulate petitions," Gonidakis said.

Adams, a sports agent who owns the Bluestone entertainment venue on East Broad Street Downtown, said for-profit venues that are being taxed must compete with other venues and events that aren't taxed.

The tax's supporters still wonder who supports Adams and Gonidakis.

"I've never thought they've had any major support to speak of, other than a few large, out-of-town corporations trying to influence decisions Columbus has made," said Larry James, a local attorney and a co-chairman of Protect Art 4 Columbus, a group of community and business people and arts patrons with 2,132 members who support the taxes.

"One or two out-of-town companies really want to rain on our parade."

One of the 5 percent taxes applies to tickets on performances and sporting events at venues with more than 400 seats — not including Nationwide Arena — and for tickets costing more than $10, including the more-expensive seats at Columbus Clippers games. That tax would raise an estimated $6 million a year for the Greater Columbus Arts Council to fund arts groups. None of that money would go to Nationwide Arena.

A separate 5 percent tax would be added to tickets sold for Nationwide Arena events, including Columbus Blue Jackets games and concerts. That would raise an estimated $3 million. Of that, $2.4 million a year would go toward arena improvements and $600,000 for improvements to arts facilities.

The taxes aren't set to go into effect until July 1.

James said there has been a groundswell of support from the business and arts communities for the taxes.

Experience Columbus, which promotes tourism, has not taken a position on the taxes.

"We know the arts and culture segment of the community needs additional funding," said Brian Ross, the CEO of Experience Columbus. "How it comes about really is a community decision."

"It's to the point where it is a user fee," Ross said. "You only pay if you choose to go to different events."

Cathy Lyttle, who chairs the Experience Columbus board of directors, said, "At the end of the day, we view (the taxes) as support for the arts. That's a good thing for our community. It's a part of our industry that supports thousands of jobs."

mferench@dispatch.com

@MarkFerenchik