Legislature fails to act on Cubs' stadium issue

Published November 20, 2014

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Mesa's status as the Chicago Cubs spring training home is in jeopardy now that the Arizona Legislature has adjourned without passing legislation needed to keep the team in the state.

An agreement between the team and Mesa officials allows the Cubs to negotiate with other cities if Arizona lawmakers don't pass legislation by July 12. Lawmakers ended their session Thursday, and a special session is unlikely.

The move could reopen the door for Florida to lure away baseball's highest-drawing spring training team.

Lawmakers considered adding surcharges to car rentals and spring-training baseball tickets, but the plan faltered after Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig came out against it.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said he wasn't aware of Friday's events.

"I don't know anything about it," he said after his team beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-5 at Wrigley Field. "I'd have to wait until next week to be able to know about any of that stuff. I haven't been on top of it."

He added, "It's a long process."

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/legislature-fails-to-act-on-cubs-stadium-issue