The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Tuesday the organization filed a lawsuit against the Maricopa County Stadium District over money for capital repairs of Chase Field.
Steve Gilbert of MLB.com passed along a statement from D-backs managing general partner Ken Kendrick, who said the decision to bring the suit came after the sides couldn't reach an agreement:
It is extremely unfortunate that we have been forced to take action today following several years of attempts to resolve this matter out of court. We have made a promise to our fans, who have been partners with us on the building of this stadium and our franchise, to provide the best experience in all of baseball in a safe and welcoming environment. The inability of the Maricopa County Stadium District to fulfill its commitments has left us with no other option.
The Maricopa County Stadium District conducted an assessment of Chase Field, which opened in 1998, and it determined $185 million in upgrades were needed, according to the MLB.com report. The sides have remained at odds about how to pay the costs.
The report noted the Diamondbacks believe the Stadium District is responsible for $135 million of those fees. The team has offered to pay for the improvements in exchange for more stadium flexibility, including booking the park when it's not being used for baseball, but the district declined that offer.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press provided a response from Maricopa County officials, who were prepared to sell Chase Field to private investors last summer before the deal reached a roadblock with the team:
It is disappointing the Diamondbacks are suing their fans who helped build Chase Field. The team simply wants out of the contract that makes them stay and play through the 2028 season. Saying the facility is in disrepair is outrageous. The Maricopa County Stadium District has spent millions during the off-season on concrete and steel work that keeps the stadium safe and looking great for each baseball season.
Kendrick agreed the stadium isn't a danger to fans heading into the 2017 season, per MLB.com.
"Our fans can rest assured that today's filing will have absolutely no impact on the day-to-day operations of the D-backs and the upcoming season and that for 2017, Chase Field is completely safe," he said.
In addition, MLB.com noted D-backs attorney Leo R. Beus stated the organization isn't seeking any money from the county or the taxpayers as part of the lawsuit. Instead it's asking the court to remove a "contract restriction" that prevents it from exploring other stadium options.
The Diamondbacks averaged 25,138 fans across their 81 home games in 2016, a number that ranked 21st of the league's 30 teams, according to ESPN.com. Chase Field's 1998 debut date leaves it in the middle of the pack in terms of age, checking in as the 14th-oldest MLB facility.
Arizona is slated to open its 2017 home schedule with a game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, April 2.
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