Wednesday December 6, 2023

Diamondbacks Push For Public Help To Upgrade Chase Field 

  • MLB club seeks public-private deal to improve aging ballpark.
  • Deal has eluded franchise amid accelerating wave of agreements elsewhere in MLB.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The Arizona Diamondbacks have seen an accelerating wave of facility deals around Major League Baseball, with Baltimore, Milwaukee, Tampa, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Oakland all making progress this year to varying degrees on new or upgraded facilities.

Now, the franchise would like its turn. 

Team president and CEO Derrick Hall told the Arizona Republic that the franchise would like to remain at Chase Field, their current downtown Phoenix home, but have not found the public-private agreement necessary to fund $400 million to $500 million in facility upgrades.

“We don’t have our hand out, but if you look at some of the other situations very similar to ours — like Milwaukee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore — in each case, they are getting strong investments from the public, from a mixture of city/county/state, and we just aren’t. Would I welcome that? Absolutely. I’m just still trying to weigh if there’s any help we can get from anybody.”

The Diamondbacks, whose lease with the stadium expires in 2027, can activate a previously approved tax district and implement a 1% to 9% tax on anything sold at Chase Field. Still, the team is seeking to avoid that direct taxation of attending fans for now.

There have also been some talks about a potential new Diamondbacks facility, but those have taken more of a back seat of late to the renovation discussions.

Hall said the team would be willing to pay more than 75% of the Chase Field upgrade costs and pursue an Atlanta Braves-style mixed-use development increasingly in vogue across the industry. But he added the ballpark is also grappling with a growing list of needs, including increasingly outdated air conditioning, scoreboard, and lighting systems.

“It’s a 26-year-old building in the middle of the desert,” he said. “I’m willing to invest in it, but I’ve got to know that I’m going to be here, and that’s why it’s so critical that we start that timeline as soon as we can.”

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball Extends Celebration of Negro Leagues With HOF Tribute Game

New event dovetails with planned MLB game at historic Rickwood Field.

NHL Plans To Stage 2024 Draft At $2.3B Vegas Sphere

League becomes first sports entity to stage an event entire at venue.
Tokyo-Olympics

Two Years After Tokyo’s $13B Olympics: Criminal Charges

Trial begins in bid-rigging scandal further marring already troubled Games.
Oakland Athletics center fielder Esteury Ruiz (1) tosses the ball to left fielder Brett Rooker (25) after making an out against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Where Will the A’s Play After Next Year? It’s Getting Complicated

Roster development, RSN money further cloud an already-complex decision.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NCAA Opens Door to Athlete Compensation

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

Ratcliffe Closing in on Man United Stake Acquisition: What’s Next?

Manchester United is bringing on a new minority owner.
December 4, 2023

Diamond Baseball Holdings Flexes Further With WooSox Deal

MiLB team holding company extends acquisition push with Boston's top affiliate.
December 5, 2023

London Calling: Another Premier League Club Weighs a Stake Sale

Brentford FC is reportedly considering a stake sale.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi holds two trophies during the trophy ceremony for the Leagues Cup Championship match at GEODIS Park in Nashville.
December 4, 2023

Inter Miami Scores Record Revenue with Messi. How Much Bigger Can It Get?

Inter Miami could be the top earning club in MLS.
Apr 13, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien (38) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Mullett Arena.
December 4, 2023

Coyotes Closing in on Arena Site in Move Toward Long-desired Stability

NHL team reportedly nearing long-awaited location decision for new venue.
December 3, 2023

LAFC’s Historic Run: From MLS Cup Final Return to Billion-Dollar Valuation

MLS club looks to become league's first repeat champion since 2012.
December 1, 2023

New Indiana Pacers Investor Could Offer Succession Option

The Pacers are selling a 20% minority stake in the team.