NCAA Agrees To Keep CWS In Omaha Through At Least 2030

College World Series To Begin Play In New Ballpark In Omaha In 2011

The NCAA and College World Series of Omaha Inc. (CWS) yesterday reached an agreement to keep the CWS in the city through at least 2030, according to Kotok & Sloan of the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD. The deal includes the construction of a $140M ballpark, set to be completed by 2011. While the exact length of the contract "is still being negotiated," it is "possible the final contract could be for 25 years." The agreement, dubbed a "memorandum of understanding, won't be finalized until" top NCAA officials approve it, which is expected to happen in the next several days. The deal is the longest contract for a city to host a "major" NCAA championship. Omaha has hosted the CWS since 1950 with a "series of one-year to five-year contracts." Omaha City Councilman Garry Gernandt said that while the length of the agreement is "something of a coup for Omaha, it's also a sign that the city should embrace the plan for a downtown ballpark." The city council still must approve "several details involving the construction" of the park," but Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey said that he is "pleased with the financial aspects of the agreement, which are intended to protect taxpayers." As part of the deal, revenues generated by the new ballpark "first would be used to make annual payments on the construction debt." Then "stadium and CWS operating expenses would be paid, followed by payments to a capital improvement fund for future repairs" to the ballpark, and any "leftover funds would be shared with the NCAA" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 5/1).