The Arizona Diamondbacks have been a staple of Valley sports in Phoenix since entering MLB in 1998. Making the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 2001 last year re-endeared the team to fans in the region after missing the playoffs the previous five seasons.
While the team is tethered to its home of Chase Field until 2027, it could be on the move if it can’t come to terms with Maricopa County (which owns the stadium) on a lease extension.
A team spokesperson told 12News Wednesday the county’s latest offer was “extremely offensive” because “the County offers no dollars at all” for stadium renovations while the Diamondbacks “have come to the table with hundreds of millions in resources” to put towards a building they do not own.
That offer required a 50-year lease and for the team to put up $150 million in stadium maintenance, per 12News.
“This is a government authority that has proven all along they do not have the desire, nor the ability, to put any money into their own building,” team CEO Derrick Hall told Cronkite News. “I mean, not a penny.”
Maricopa County responded to the team’s counter-proposal of a 10-year lease with a clause to terminate on short notice, calling it “neither practical nor viable,” per 12News.
However, a spokesperson also said the county was “pleased with the progress made in the ongoing negotiations.”
“We believe our recent offer is fair,” the spokesperson told 12News, “balancing the flexibility the Diamondbacks have said they need while requiring necessary investment in Chase Field. It is our goal for the Diamondbacks to play baseball in downtown Phoenix for decades to come.”
Hall doesn’t feel as optimistic though, telling Arizona Sports on Thursday that he doesn’t “see a deal in sight.”
