Maricopa County (Ariz.) yesterday "abruptly canceled its search" for a new Chase Field events manager, "heightening uncertainty surrounding its conflict" with the D-backs, according to Rebekah Sanders of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The events-management contract is a key part of the D-backs' argument that the team "should be allowed to break its lease" at the 19-year-old ballpark to "look for another home." The D-backs have "complained that the current manager has failed to attract enough non-baseball events to generate revenue" for ballpark repairs, a "claim the county disputes." The county recently put out an RFP "seeking bids on a new 10-year contract to begin July 1," which "drew two bidders." The bidders were Select Artists' Associates/SMG, the current manager, and R Entertainment, both based in Scottsdale. The decision "was a surprise, given the June 30 sunset of the current contract." Maricopa County Stadium District Dir Daren Frank said that the county "might try to extend the contract with Select Artists' Associates a few months while officials regroup." But the county's relationship with Select Artists' Associates has been "strained by the drama" with the D-backs. The team "didn't bid on the contract," even though D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall last year said that he "wanted to take over the contract and do a better job attracting events" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 6/6). Sanders noted Select Artists' Associates/SMG has managed ballpark events in the offseason since the ballpark opened in '98, "splitting revenues with the county" and team. There were five "large events and about 200 smaller ones last fiscal year" (AZCENTRAL.com, 6/5).
