Diamondbacks sue Maricopa County to look into other stadium options

[TexasTowelie]

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have filed suit against the Maricopa County Stadium District to ask for the removal of a clause in their contract that prevents the team from exploring other stadium options.

At issue is the $135 million in capital improvements that the Diamondbacks say the county must make to Chase Field. The Diamondbacks' lease with the county prevents the team from talking with outside groups until 2024 and for the team to play at Chase Field until 2028. The county owns the stadium.

"It is extremely unfortunate that we have been forced to take action today following several years of attempts to resolve this matter out of court," Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick said in a statement on Tuesday. "We have made a promise to our fans, who have been partners with us on the building of this stadium and our franchise, to provide the best experience in all of baseball in a safe and welcoming environment. The inability of the Maricopa County Stadium District to fulfill its commitments has left us with no other option."

Kendrick said the stadium district rejected an offer by the Diamondbacks to cover those capital repairs in exchange for a reduction of license fee payments and the ability to book the stadium for non-baseball use.

Read more: http://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/d-backs-sue-maricopa-county-to-look-into-other-stadium/article_4248143e-d28b-11e6-9c35-8f870196a6c0.html

[HassleCat]

1. Let me guess.

They want more sky boxes and executive amenities. I like how they threw in the bit about "safety." Yeah. $135 million should buy a lot of non-slip stairs and new exit signs.

[msongs]

2. the county could sell it to them...at full market price, cash up front. then the Dbacks can do

anything they want with the stadium