The future home of the Arizona Diamondbacks is still “up in the air,” according to team officials.
On Monday, the team told reporters it is still mulling over whether to renovate Chase Field or pursue a completely new stadium. Team president and CEO Derrick Hall said that the pandemic delayed the final decision, but he hopes to have an answer during the summer.
The team’s No. 1 priority is using the stadium plan to generate more revenue that can increase the team’s payroll. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said he’s willing to put “hundreds of millions” toward an improved fan experience, no matter what.
One thing is for sure — the current stadium needs work. There are major mechanical issues with the retractable roof, and in-game technology like audio and scoreboards needs an upgrade.
But team officials must consider multiple factors.
Chase Field is located in Phoenix’s downtown area, a location team officials consider important whether they renovate the stadium — which could take between three and seven years — or build a new one. Even with a new ballpark, the team wants to stay in Maricopa County.
An added complication: The county owns the stadium, and while the current ballpark was mostly funded by property taxes, that may not be an option this time around. The Diamondbacks have a lease that ends in 2027.
The team wants to be “as appealing as possible” to the fans “who pay the bills,” Kendrick told reporters.
