D-Backs threaten to leave Chase Field over unfinished renovations
The Arizona Diamondbacks could be preparing to try and leave Chase Field after claims that Maricopa County is unable to make an estimated $187 million in repairs to the 18-year-old ballpark.
In a statement released by Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall, he said the Diamondbacks want to remain in downtown Phoenix, though the County is putting that in jeopardy.
The statement reads, in part:
The Arizona Diamondbacks highest priority is to provide a high-quality experience for our fans and our agreement with the County was designed to ensure Chase Field delivers on that promise not only on the day it opened, but throughout its lifespan. Our organization will not renege on that commitment and we expect our partners to share that value. Unfortunately, the County has demonstrated that it does not.
The Maricopa County Stadium District has made clear that it will not be able to meet its obligations to fund financial reserves for capital improvements, which now estimates to be at least $187 for the remaining life of the stadium. This spiral is insurmountable and will result in a Chase Field that will no longer be a state-of-the-art facility as our agreement requires and may, in fact, become unsuitable for continued use. We cannot risk being put in that position.
The Diamondbacks have occupied Chase Field - formally Bank One Ballpark - since 1998 and their current contract runs through the 2028 season. If the County is unable to make the improvements, Hall wants the club to be released from certain provisions in the contract in order to allow them to discuss options with other partners.
Maricopa County rejected the Diamondbacks request to negotiate with other partners on Wednesday, according to Brahm Resnik of KPNX, and said the clause was put in place to protect the city from the team leaving.
"(The clause was put in place) to ensure that the taxpayers, who had paid $238 million in sales taxes to build the stadium (in addition to the District's undertaking an additional $15 million contribution for construction costs), would not be left with an empty stadium," County Board Chairman Clint Hickman wrote to Hill.
Under the current lease, the Diamondbacks cannot negotiate for a new stadium until 2024.