Barring some unexpected circumstances, we should see a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark in 2014 after the City Council approved an $8M contribution. Last night the City Council voted 7-4 to contribute $8 million over 20 years toward a new Uptown ballpark — $7.25 in tourism taxes and $750,000 from Central City […]
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Reese to try once again to torpedo new Charlotte ballpark
Undeterred by his five defeats in court, attorney Jerry Reese informed city officials that he will once again sue to prevent city funding of a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark. Reese has spent a good share of time over the last decade opposing any effort by the Knights ownership to actually move […]
Majority of Charlotte council members supports Knights ballpark
A majority of Charlotte City Council members now support a proposed Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark plan, with a vote scheduled for June 11. Seven of the 11 council members expressed support for a new funding plan that capped the city’s contribution at $7.25 million, all coming from tourism funds. A plan to […]
Knights notch another major sponsor
With city politicians still debating whether to help fund a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, the team has signed another major sponsor: Piedmont Natural Gas. The Charlotte-based firm is the first founding partner for a proposed uptown Charlotte ballpark. Mecklenburg County has already committed $8 million and a low-cost land lease for the […]
City funding for Knights ballpark: iffy
Despite a naming-rights deal and indications that financing is almost in place for a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, some councilmembers are questioning city funding. City staff has recommended $8.5 million be paid toward the $54 million ballpark project: $6 million from hotel/motel taxes and $2.5 million in property-tax rebates from the […]
Knights sign BB&T for new-ballpark naming rights
The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) unveiled a naming-rights partner for a proposed new Uptown ballpark: BB&T Corp. Under the agreement, the ballpark will carry the BB&T name and include signage and other promotional opportunities, starting when the Knights are scheduled to begin play in April 2014. It would be the second Minor League Ballpark […]
City OK’s Knights funding request, at lower level
Charlotte (N.C.) city officials refined a plan to help fund a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, adding hotel/motel taxes to mix and dropping the total to $8.5 million. The Knights originally requested $11 million coming from property-tax increases in the ballpark area; this number was later reduced to $9 million by city […]
Charlotte outlines ballpark funding plan
A Charlotte (N.C.) City Council committee will debate today a proposal to help fund a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) Uptown ballpark, contingent on the team arranging private financing. The plan, to be discussed today by the council’s economic development committee, calls for $9 million to be paid to the team after 2015, with half […]
Knights: We’ve met big condition for new ballpark
Management of the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) say they’ve scored two significant, long-term sponsorship agreements — agreements that were a condition of their new-ballpark deal with Mecklenburg County. Providing such proof by March 31, 2012 was a condition required to maintain the validity of the Knights’ lease agreement with the county. The Knights […]
Reese returns with another anti-Knights lawsuit
Jerry Reese, who single-handedly delayed an Uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) with five tossed lawsuits, is back with yet another lawsuit. Reese, a local attorney who opposed a new Knights ballpark because he thinks Major League Baseball should instead set up shop in Charlotte, alleges in the new lawsuit that […]
Economics of new Charlotte ballpark iffy: Mayor
Mayor Anthony Foxx threw some cold water on city funding of a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, saying any contribution to the project would be a hard sell. UNC-Charlotte professor John Connaughton told the Charlotte City Council two weeks ago that a new uptown ballpark would create 490 jobs annually (along with […]
Knights make economic case for city funding of new ballpark
Armed with a study that predicted a tangible economic impact from a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, the City Council invited team management to pitch for city funding. The Knights are looking at a $55-million ballpark in uptown Charlotte. Mecklenburg County has already pledged land and $8 million, with some conditions — […]
Charlotte may help fund new Knights ballpark
With it increasingly apparent that private financing isn’t possible for a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are exploring public financing. Any public money would not cover the entire cost of constructing a new ballpark in Charlotte’s Uptown area; past cost estimate have come in at $56 million, but […]