The Orioles are asking the state of MD for millions of
dollars in rent credits, stadium loans and improvements to Oriole
Park, in what they claim is their legal right to parity the
stadium deal of the Ravens, according to Jon Morgan of the
Baltimore SUN. Negotiations or binding arbitration should
resolve the "parity clause" which guarantees the Orioles a
"fairly comparable," but not identical, lease by the MD Stadium
Authority for both the Orioles and Ravens. The Orioles "want
concessions to be retroactive to the signing of their lease in
'92, and to include credits against future rent equal to the
savings the Ravens get from the cut-rate terms being charged
during their two seasons at Memorial Stadium." The team is also
eyeing some credit for the millions of dollars the state has
spent fixing Memorial Stadium for temporary use by the Ravens.
Among other concessions sought by the Orioles: Similar rent
terms to the Ravens', even though they now pay "several million
less in rent than it costs to run Oriole Park." The Ravens
reimburse the state for the cost of operating the stadium, while
the O's rent is calculated as percentage of revenues. The O's
also want the same rights as the Ravens to book events such as
concerts while splitting profits with the state. The O's also
wish to increase their luxury boxes from 72. The Ravens project
to have 108 in their new facility (Baltimore SUN, 9/28).
PSL UPDATE: The Ravens will begin their PSL plan on October
14, with top price "expected" to be $3,000, and the lowest $250.
Ticket prices will also be set for the first three years
(WASHINGTON POST, 9/28).
