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Cubs, Mesa working on new spring-ballpark agreement

Despite an impending deadline that ends the exclusive negotiating period between Mesa and the Chicago Cubs over a new spring-training facility, Mesa officials say a new agreement is in the works, and they're confident the Cubs are committed to the Phoenix suburb for the long haul.

Despite an impending deadline that ends the exclusive negotiating period between Mesa and the Chicago Cubs over a new spring-training facility, Mesa officials say a new agreement is in the works, and they're confident the Cubs are committed to the Phoenix suburb for the long haul.

The original agreement between the Cubs and Mesa ends July 12, which in theory would free the Cubs to negotiate with other parties for a new spring-training facility. We're told by Cubs officials that's not likely to happen, though: with Mesa poised to pick up the estimated $84 million cost of a new training complex, there's little doubt a new complex will happen. The much-ballyhooed competition between Florida and Arizona over a Cubs complex never really materialized, to be honest: the inclination by Cubs officials was always to stay in Arizona, where the franchise has put down some pretty deep roots.

So it looks like a new agreement committing the Cubs to Mesa could come before the end of the month. The only real variable here: Mesa voters must approve city spending on a new complex and a hotel tax hike in a November referendum. Should the referendum not pass (we've not seen any polling on the question), the Cubs would be free to walk away from the Mesa deal.

RELATED STORIES: Mesa: We'll finance Cubs ballpark on our own; State funding for Cubs spring facility "dead"; Florida explores new money for luring Cactus League teams; Selig pushes Cubs aside, will directly negotiate funding of new spring venue; Legislators: Yup, we want Cactus League ticket tax; Cubs: We're not wedded to idea of Cactus League ticket tax; Cactus League teams, Selig oppose Cubs spring-training funding; Mesa to ask for state aid to keep Cubs; Cubs seriously looking at Naples spring-training bid; Naples: We're serious about landing the Cubs; Ricketts to visit Mesa next week to tour potential spring-training sites; Lawmaker: Florida should up spending to lure spring camps for Cubs, Brewers; Cubs' spring-training future doesn't lie in HoHoKam Park; Mesa delegation to pitch Cubs on spring-training facilities

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