• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 8, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

The Pirates Are Facing Political Pressure to Play Better

  • A pair of Pennsylvania state representatives call on the MLB club to boost its payroll.
  • The Pirates push back on an economic report analyzing its local impact.
Jun 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (right) reacts as he talks with pitcher Jared Jones (left) after the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The hype, both in Pittsburgh and nationally, continues to build rapidly around Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes (above). But as the MLB club approaches the start of lease renewal negotiations for the publicly owned PNC Park, some Pennsylvania legislators are still unhappy.

As the Pirates are still three games under .500 entering Friday’s game at the White Sox and haven’t reached the playoffs since 2015, Republican state representatives Tim Bonner and Jim Gregory are arguing those losing ways are depressing taxpayers’ investment in the ballpark.

The pair requested a report on the team’s fiscal impact from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office, which has been published and estimated that if the Pirates won just three additional games per year, gross fan spending would increase by $76 million. The IFO found that $31 million of that spending would occur outside of the stadium and support local businesses. 

“If the taxpayers are going to put money into the stadium, the Pirates need to also invest in PNC Park, as well as put a worthy product on the field,” Bonner said in a statement. “Taxpayers deserve more than the bare minimum.”

The current PNC Park agreement expires after the 2030 season, and formal renewal talks are expected to begin over the next two years. The IFO developed a similar study for the Phillies, who also play in a publicly owned facility and have generated much higher results.

Operating in one of MLB’s smallest media markets, the Pirates have long been an easy target for politicians, fans, media, and other constituent groups. The team has just four winning seasons in the last 30 years—three of which came in the Andrew McCutchen–led era of the mid-2010s—and its current $85.2 million payroll is the 29th in the league, beating only the soon-relocating A’s. That figure is below Pittsburgh’s payrolls in each of the ’15–17 seasons that surpassed $90 million, despite a significant bump in national-level MLB revenues since then.

The club’s average attendance of 21,340 per game, up by nearly 7% from a year ago, is 24th in the league. 

Team Response

Not surprisingly, the Pirates have pushed back on the legislators’ comments. Broad, performance-based lease agreements are not common across the industry, due in part to the many variables that contribute to teams’ on-field records, and are not likely to be included in the next PNC Park lease term. 

“Focusing solely on major league payroll is limiting because there are countless other investments that clubs make to develop a winning team,” the Pirates said in a letter included in the IFO report. 

The Bob Nutting–owned franchise, meanwhile, is seeking to amass a broader base of talent around Skenes, who quickly has captivated the sport. The frenzy hit another level Friday as Skenes was named as the starting pitcher for the National League in the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field. Skenes is just the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game, and he’s the first MLB player to be drafted No. 1 and become an All-Star the following year. 

“We have been very clear about our plan to build and sustain a winner at the major league level, and have made significant investments and progress in the execution of that plan,” the team added.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.
Mar 11, 2024; Jupiter, Florida, USA; MLB umpire Jen Pawol watches from first base during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

MLB Calls Up First Female Umpire for Marlins-Braves Doubleheader

Jen Pawol officiated in the minor leagues and MLB spring training.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.

Former Heat Security Guard Indicted in $2M Memorabilia Scheme

He is accused of stealing more than 400 game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia, prosecutors say.
August 2, 2025

Bengals Extend Stadium Lease After $350M in Public Funds for Renovation

The Bengals will stay in the 25-year-old stadium through at least 2036.
August 5, 2025

Spurs Are Spending Big Now, but Can They Afford Their Future?

San Antonio traded for Fox in February ahead of the trade deadline.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
August 1, 2025

Commanders Seal Stadium Deal As D.C. Approves $1.1B in Funding

The NFL team’s return to its prior home receives key political support.
July 31, 2025

Ferrari Extends F1 Boss Weeks After Red Bull Fire Horner

Fred Vasseur joined Ferrari in 2023.
July 30, 2025

Mayor Calls Commanders RFK Stadium Deal ‘a BFD’ for D.C.’s Future

The NFL team makes a series of additional commitments.
July 30, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends $450K Holdout Without New Bengals Deal

The defensive end is seeking a raise on his $16 million 2025 salary.