The Arizona Republic
Feb. 20, 2008 05:59 PM
John Allen, Cincinnati Reds' CEO, will be in the Valley on Thursday and Friday to meet with state legislators and Goodyear officials, a city spokesman said Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Florida officials decided against upgrading the Sarasota spring training facility, used by the Reds since 1998.
On Jan. 29, the Reds and Goodyear agreed to a 75-day exclusivity agreement. The two sides are trying to work out a deal that would allow bring the team's spring training operation to Goodyear's new $75 million Ballpark and Recreation Complex, which is under construction.
The stadium will be the new spring training home of the Cleveland Indians next year. Both the Indians and the Reds train in Florida now.
Goodyear city spokeswoman Nora Fascenelli said Sarasota County Commissioners, faced with the prospect of losing the Reds to Arizona, recently approved $17.6 million for improvements to Ed Smith Stadium.
But until the 75-day term expires on April 11, the Reds can talk only with Goodyear, Fascenelli said. Goodyear has until March 13 to show it will be able to finance the deal with the Reds, which is expected to cost about $32 million.
Goodyear has been told that the Reds are not considering Tucson as an option, Fascenelli said.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment