The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to finalize a memorandum of understanding that changes the county's original 30-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks over the operation, management and maintenance of Chase Field.
The board voted 4-1 in favor of the deal, which ends a lawsuit by the baseball team alleging the county owed them $187 million in stadium repairs. The new deal means no more public money will be provided toward the 20-year old ballpark.
The Diamondbacks will now take control of the stadium and its bookings. They also will keep revenue from all events there. The team can now explore stadium options, including renovating and rebuilding Chase Field, or moving out of there, but they must remain there until 2022. If they choose to leave Chase Field before 2027, the team must pay a multi-million dollar buyout to the county.
Diamondbacks general managing partner Ken Kendrick said the team will seek the best long-term stadium option.