(The Center Square) – The Arizona Legislature is considering a bill that would create a tax capture to pay for renovations at Chase Field.
The bill would collect sales tax collected at the stadium for everything from tickets to merchandise to food and drinks along with income tax from athletes and team staff. It would put that money toward renovations.
The Diamondbacks’ lease at the stadium expires in 2027. There are an estimated $500 million in renovations anticipated at the stadium with the Diamondbacks expected to pay $250 million to $300 million of those repairs, according to Diamondbacks Vice President of Government Affairs Amilyn Pierce.
The bill is moving through the Legislature after it was approved by the House Majority and Minority caucus after its first two readings.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks are an indispensable part of our state’s identity and economy,” said bill sponsor Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Gilbert. “I’m proud to sponsor HB2704, which provides a dedicated funding solution to renovate Chase Field and ensure the Diamondbacks remain right here in Arizona where they belong. With the departure of the Coyotes last year, it is more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect the future of our teams and the venues that make them possible.”
No lease extension was announced, but the amended bill does require the Diamondbacks to pay $10 million if the Major League Baseball team leaves Arizona before Oct. 1, 2035, $5 million if they leave before Oct. 1, 2045 and $1 million if the team leaves before Oct. 1, 2050.
Money in the renovation fund would revert back to the state if the team leaves the stadium.
Weninger said that it’s clear the stadium needs repairs to its air conditioning system, which is not working properly.
Luis Gonzalez, special assistant to the president and CEO of the Diamondbacks, told the House Commerce Committee that the stadium is in dire need of repairs, needing a new scoreboard, roof repairs, the AC system and plumbing and infrastructural repairs.
Gonzalez said the team would pay “the majority of the repairs.”
Teams and politicians looking for public funding for sports stadiums often take taxes collected related to a stadium and use those funds toward stadium projects.
But economists have shown that is no different than taking money from the entity’s general fund to pay for the projects because those taxes currently go to the general fund, meaning the state would have less money because of the move.
“This is a way, within that footprint, to take the tax revenue that’s already existing and repurpose it into that public asset,” Weninger said.
Rep. Justin Wilmeth said that the bill would prevent the Diamondbacks from leaving the state, which he said would be an “affront to God” and it “still pisses him off to no end” that the Coyotes left Arizona for Salt Lake City.