Baltimore Orioles and Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced a joint commitment to what they called a “multi-decade, public-private partnership” to revitalize the Camden Yards sports complex.
The team’s statement and the state’s new governor came on Wednesday, the deadline for the Orioles to exercise a one-time, five-year extension of their Camden Yards lease. The team was not planning to exercise that option, according to multiple reports. The decision to lease the Orioles was first reported by The Baltimore Sun.
With no extension, the lease is set to expire at the end of this year, but the team and the Maryland Stadium Authority can continue negotiating. Wednesday’s joint release appeared to be an attempt to calm any nerves in Baltimore about the team’s future.
“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Governor Moore, his management, and the Maryland Stadium Authority to bring to Baltimore the modern, sustainable, electric sports and entertainment destination that the state of Maryland deserves,” said Orioles CEO John Angelos. .
“We deeply appreciate Governor Moore’s vision and commitment as we take advantage of the tremendous opportunity to redefine the paradigm of what Major League Baseball stadium stands for and thereby revitalize downtown Baltimore. I hope and expect that, along with Governor Moore and the new members and new chair of the MSA Board of Directors, we can once again We are fully aware of the potential of Camden Yards to serve as a catalyst for Baltimore’s second revival.”
Republican Larry Hogan, the state’s former governor, signed a bill last year to increase the bond mandate for M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, and Camden Yards. The measure allowed up to $600 million to be borrowed per stadium.
“When Camden Yards opened 30 years ago, the Baltimore Orioles revolutionized baseball and set the standard for the fan experience,” Moore, a Democrat, said Wednesday. “We share the Orioles organization’s commitment to ensuring the team plays in a world-class facility at Camden Yards for decades to come and are excited to strengthen our public-private partnership.”
Angelos recently confirmed that the Orioles would remain in Baltimore, though he bounced back to a reporter who asked for more clarity on the future of the team’s ownership status. His brother Lou sued Angelos last year, claiming that John Angelos took over the Orioles at his expense.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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