We suspect this won't be the last time we report on a team asking for a rent adjustment during rough economic times, as the Fresno Grizzlies ownership meet with city officials about a rent reduction at Chukchansi Park.
The Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) met with Fresno City Council about an amended lease for Chukchansi Park, seeking some rent relief in the midst of a very economically challenging season.
It's a refrain we've been hearing time and time again: while fans are still showing up to games, they're spending less. Couple that with a bad climate for selling sponsorships, and we're seeing some franchises struggle considerably when it comes to the bottom line.
Including the Grizzlies, who really do go beyond the pale when it comes to promotion and events; we cited them in the offseason for their promotional calendar last season, and they've matched that level of performance this season.
But the team has a big nut to crack on the ballpark front. At one point the Grizzlies were paying the highest rent in minor-league baseball — some $1.5 million annually — before a reduction to $900,000 annually. It is this amount that the Grizzlies would like to see reduced.
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