Diamondbacks home venue plans ‘up in the air’

Article posted by Coliseum, March 3^rd, 2023

Image: MLB

The future home of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Arizona Diamondbacks (US) is still “up in the air”, according to team officials.

‘FRONT OFFICE SPORTS’ stated that recently, the team told reporters it is still mulling over whether to renovate their digs – Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona (US) or pursue a completely new stadium. The team President and head honcho Derrick Hall said that the pandemic delayed the final decision, but he hopes to have an answer during the Summer.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, US. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League West division. The franchise was established on March 9th, 1995 and began play in 1998 as an expansion team.

The 48,519-capacity Chase Field, formerly Bank One Ballpark, is a retractable roof stadium in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona (US). It is the home of Major League Baseball’s (MLB’s) Arizona Diamondbacks. It opened in 1998, the year the Diamondbacks debuted as an expansion team.

‘FRONT OFFICE SPORTS’ further stated that the team’s No. 1 priority is using the stadium plan to generate more revenue that can increase the team’s payroll. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said he’s willing to put “hundreds of millions” toward an improved fan experience, no matter what.

One thing is for sure – the current stadium needs work. There are major mechanical issues with the retractable roof and in-game technology like audio and scoreboards needs an upgrade.

But the team officials must consider multiple factors.

The Chase Field is located in Phoenix’s downtown area, a location team officials consider important whether they renovate the stadium – which could take between three and seven years – or build a new one. Even with a new ballpark, the team wants to stay in Maricopa County.

An added complication: The county owns the stadium, and while the current ballpark was mostly funded by property taxes, that may not be an option this time around. The Diamondbacks have a lease that ends in 2027.

Kendrick told newsmen, “The team wants to be “as appealing as possible” to the fans “who pay the bills”.

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