Arizona Diamondbacks ownership was pitched by Henderson (NV) officials on a potential ballpark development in the Las Vegas suburb, according to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The pitch, which turned into talks conducted under a noncompete clause, called for the Diamondbacks to be part of a ballpark development a la SunTrust Park and The Battery, the groundbreaking development headed by the Atlanta Braves. The Diamondbacks ownership has been evaluating its future after reaching an agreement with Maricopa County to seek a new home in May 2018 after expressing dissatisfaction with how Chase Field was being run and maintained. This agreement lets the Diamondbacks look for a new home either in the Valley of the Sun or elsewhere after the end of the 2022 season. That shaved five years off the Chase Field lease.
And while we’re pretty sure this is not the only pitch received by the Diamondbacks ownership, it’s certainly a notable one. From the Review-Journal:
Renderings show a retractable-roof baseball stadium near St. Rose Parkway and Bermuda Road in rapidly growing west Henderson, which city officials envision as a hub for sports and entertainment. The proposed site, one of four floated by the city, sits behind the future headquarters and practice facility of the NFL’s Raiders.
According to the presentation, Henderson hired a consultant to conduct a financial analysis, assuming the ballpark would have 32,000 seats and space for 4,000 standing-room-only ticket holders. The Diamondbacks would serve as the primary tenant for a 30-year term and the stadium would be publicly owned and exempt from property tax….
The Diamondbacks would not answer specific questions about whether Henderson is being considered as a potential new home.
“A number of cities have expressed interest but we have not pursued any because we have not received permission from MLB and our desire is, first and foremost, to stay in Arizona,” the team said in a statement.
It remains to be seen how the D-Backs will handle their long-term facility situation, but their options may include a Chase Field renovation or the pursuit of a new ballpark.
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