Money Woes: MD Stadium Authority Would Rather Not Pay Up

The "cash-strapped" MD Stadium Authority (MSA) yesterday "asked for more time to raise the $10[M] it has been ordered by arbitrators to put aside for Camden Yards upgrades," according to Jon Morgan of the Baltimore SUN. MSA execs said that they "can't get the money without action by the General Assembly, which doesn't meet until January." MSA execs have asked the arbitrators, "who on Friday ordered $10[M] be deposited in a stadium improvement account" by December 1, to delay the date until July 1 when the state's fiscal year begins. MSA attorney Ralph Tyler said of the money, "We can't get it otherwise." Orioles execs said that the team "will oppose the request." However, Orioles attorney Alan Rifkin said that the MSA "could ask the state's Board of Public Works for a special appropriation." Rifkin also said that "if there is a delay, the Orioles will expect interest" (Baltimore SUN, 7/11).