Guardians Get New Lease, $203M in Stadium Renovations

The Cleveland Guardians are doubling down on their current home.

The MLB team will make a broad set of renovations to Progressive Field and sign a new lease agreement.

• The construction will include changes to the upper deck, clubhouses, terrace hub and dugout club seating areas, and the team’s front office — and will cost an estimated $202.5 million.
• Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and Ohio will contribute $135 million of that sum.
• The Guardians will chip in the remaining $67.5 million.

The deal is contingent on the team honoring a new lease that runs through 2036 with options to extend an additional 10 years. 

Stadium Spending

The Guardians aren’t the only team investing in their home.

The Toronto Blue Jays will put $224 million into modernizing the Rogers Centre over the next two offseasons, with the first stage prioritizing social spaces, bars, patios, and viewing platforms.

Meanwhile, the New York Mets are moving the Citi Field right-field fence in by 8 feet, 6 inches to accommodate luxury seating with personal TVs and a speakeasy-inspired menu.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are unsure whether they will remain in Chase Field, with some reports suggesting team owner Ken Kendrick could explore a sale.