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Naming rights under debate in Frederick

Harry Grove Stadium

With naming rights to Harry Grove Stadium assets potentially drawing $251,000 annually, city officials are sparring over how much of that to keep and how much to share with the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League).

The ballpark name won’t change, but naming rights to parts of the facility could be placed on the block. The report from consultant Team Services identified 35 spots on the ballpark that could be subject to naming rights — scoreboard, playing field, concourse — and tallied the potential revenues at $251,500. Of course, this is an optimistic assessment that also assumed 100 percent buy-through. The actual number could be much lower. As proposed by Team Services, the splt would be 35 percent to the city and 65 to the Keys, who already pay $100,000 annual for the lease, as well as funds paid into a capital fund.

At least one city alderperson, Shelley Aloi, wants to see the city keep all the money. Not a surprise: Aloi has been a consistent critic of the Keys and the ballpark lease and has sought to see the Keys pay more toward capital improvements as well (the team is committed to $1M in capital improvements as part of the current lease). Cooler heads apparently have prevailed, however, and Mayor Randy McClement says the city will pursue a deal with Team Services with the 35/65 split as proposed. Expect more debate, however.

RELATED STORIES: Controversy dogs Keys lease negotiations to the end; Keys, Frederick on verge of 10-year Harry Grove Stadium lease; Keys lease raising debate in Frederick; Frederick reopens ballpark lease negotiations; Keys, Frederick have draft lease; aldermen want more information; Frederick committee recommends Keys retain ballpark lease; Two bids submitted for Frederick lease; Keys: We want to stay in Frederick; Frederick: Affiliated team to have advantage in ballpark bidding; Frederick to put ballpark lease to bid; Keys on market; Ballpark Visit: Harry Grove Stadium / Frederick Keys

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