A pair of ordinances under consideration in Chester, Pa., “would slap a 10 percent tax on tickets at PPL Park and another 20 percent on parking,” according to Timothy Logue of the DELAWARE COUNTY DAILY TIMES. MLS Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz said, “These taxes would effectively put us out of business over time. We gross about $20 million a year and these taxes would amount to about $2 million on top of what we pay right now.” Chester Mayor John Linder said, “People are paying these taxes everywhere else you go. It is not uncommon and people understand that it’s part of the cost of doing business.” Sakiewicz said that the team “was never consulted about the ordinances, which are currently in draft form.” Sakiewicz: “We were very shocked to hear about them and very much caught off guard. We found out about it through the rumor mill.” He added that the proposed ordinances “prompted the Union to immediately put the brakes on plans to build a 25,000-square-foot office building and new practice facility adjacent to PPL Park.” Sakiewicz said, “It’s a $10 million project and I can tell you it’s on hold right now.” Linder said that the city "incurs a number of direct and indirect costs associated with the crowds that flock to the riverfront venues.” Linder: “When our officers go down and cover the stadium, they are paid a set fee by the stadium. But that does not begin to cover all of the city’s liabilities.” Logue noted the parking ordinance “applies only to ‘nonresidential’ lots and requires the operator to pay $100 for an annual license and $1 per parking space." The ordinance states the parking fees "may be adjusted from time to time by resolution adopted by the council." The Union control “about 4,000 parking spaces” outside PPL Park (DELAWARE COUNTY DAILY TIMES, 5/14).
