By Mike Sunnucks
Phoenix Business Journal
The front-runner in the Glendale mayor’s race wants the Arizona city to cut a new spring training ballpark deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. This comes as the city tries to strike yet another Phoenix Coyotes deal and wrestles with some financial troubles.
Mayoral candidate Jerry Weiers is calling for a new deal because the $200 million in debt Glendale took out to build the Camelback Ranch ballpark could cost the city as much as $400 million in the long term if it doesn’t refinance with better terms.
Weiers wants to negotiate better terms from the teams that moved into the Cactus League ballpark in 2009.
Spokesmen for the White Sox and Dodgers both declined to comment.
Former Glendale city manager Ed Beasley crafted the deal with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and the Dodgers to bring their spring training to the West Valley from Tucson and Vero Beach, Fla., respectively.
