This column by Arizona Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Danny Saiden and CEO, and state House Commerce Committee Chairman Jeff Weiningter originally appeared on azcentral.com.
Arizona is a sports country. Stadiums, host championships packed, attracting millions of fans.
However, major league teams are not guaranteed to stay forever. Ask Coyote fans. The loss of the NHL franchise must be a wake-up call. We cannot afford to lose others.
So, House Bill 2704 was introduced to keep Arizona a top sports market. The bill creates a responsible and sustainable framework to modernize publicly owned stadiums and ensure the future of Diamondbacks in Arizona.
This isn’t just baseball. It’s about protecting a powerful economic engine and preventing the costly mistake of losing another franchise.
The competition for professional teams is stronger than ever.
Cities such as Salt Lake, Nashville and Portland have active theater and offer lucrative stadium deals to seduce franchises. If we don’t act, Arizona risks becoming a market that overlooks or abandons the league.
Diamondbacks leases in Chase Field expire in 2027. You can’t wait until 11 hours to find a solution. Cities that plan ahead and invest in teams will keep them. Those who hesitate will see them leave.
Dbacks play a bigger role in Arizona than just baseball. They promote work, tourism and economic growth. Their influence is far beyond the ballpark:
$107 million in direct economic impact from DBACKS’ 2023 playoff runs alone. Over 25 years, over $5.4 billion in GDP from Chasefield has hosted marquee events such as the World Series, MLB All-Star Game and College Football Bowl Game. $93 million has been invested in Arizona communities. This is more than any other local sports franchise, as DBACKS CEO Derrick Hall said. Thousands of jobs were supported, from stadium employees to businesses relying on hotels, restaurants and gaming traffic. Spring training and MLB tourism inject millions of extra dollars into the state each year.
Major League Baseball teams are more than just entertainment. They are economic powers.
Losing one doesn’t just hurt the fans. It will disrupt local businesses. Look at Auckland, the fallout of shuttered storefronts and struggling restaurants losing their MLB team. You can’t make Arizona the same mistake.
Chasefield is currently one of the oldest ballparks in the National League.
It was built in 1998 and has never undergone major renovations, causing HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems to fail. The aging infrastructure does not modify itself. These upgrades are necessary to build to keep the stadium functioning, competitive and sustainable.
HB 2704 ensures that it remains Chasefield through proven public-private partnerships to maintain Arizona Diamondbacks without burdening taxpayers.
The plan does not create a new tax. Reinvest the revenue Chasefield has already generated. If you don’t participate in the game, you won’t be able to pay taxes either.
Similar models, including the voter-approved Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, maintain teams like the state’s Arizona Cardinals by maintaining world-class venues without shifting costs to taxpayers.
HB 2704 ensures that all dollars remain within the stadium and funds important improvements that protect Chasefield as a state property.
Diamondback does not seek handouts. They are investing in their future.
They have already spent millions on repairs to public buildings, including new roofs and LED lighting, covering most of the estimated $500 million renovation costs. The HB 2704 simply provides a sustainable funding mechanism to complete the required upgrades.
Sports is the pulsation of Arizona’s identity and economy, bringing national visibility, tourism and massive investment to our state. Diamondbacks’ World Series runs were more than just a victory for the team, but a free ad for Arizona’s business environment and quality of life.
We can’t afford to gamble with the future of professional baseball in Arizona. The NHL forced the Coyotes to move through the venue after years of instability. If we don’t act, major league baseball could face similar questions about DBACH’s long-term future in Phoenix.
The HB 2704 is a smart, strategic and necessary solution to keep Arizona at the forefront of professional sports. Lawmakers and business leaders must come together to secure the Diamondbacks future in Phoenix.
It’s time to step up to the plate and hand over the HB 2704.
Danny Saiden is president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Rep. Jeff Wehning (R-Chandler) is chairman of the state House Commerce Committee and sponsored by HB 2704.
