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How Much Would a Salt Lake City MLB Stadium Cost?

2024-12-04

The anticipated cost of a new stadium for the Oakland A’s in Las Vegas has seen a significant increase. Initially projected at $1.5 billion, it has now risen to $1.75 billion due to various upgrading plans. This rise in cost is attributed to enhanced general-admission spaces, improved player amenities, additional club and suite space, and escalating construction costs. ( 1)A potential major league stadium in Salt Lake City could also cost around $1.8 billion. The Larry H. Miller Company is leading the effort to bring a big league baseball franchise to Utah and is planning to build a stadium on the city's west side. Specifics about the design and cost have not been revealed yet. ( 2)Stadium construction in both Las Vegas and Salt Lake City involves a significant portion of taxpayer dollars. In Las Vegas, hundreds of millions of dollars are being contributed, and in Salt Lake City, a special district has the ability to raise the rental car tax by 1.5% to fund the construction. ( 3)The owner of the Oakland A’s, John Fisher, will have to dig deeper into his pockets to cover the $250 million increase. Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bank are providing a $300 million construction loan, and Fisher and his family have pledged to contribute up to $1.1 billion. ( 4)The most recent MLB stadium to open, Globe Life Field in 2020, cost $1.2 billion, including a $500 million voter-approved bond. This gives an idea of the scale of costs involved in building these state-of-the-art facilities. ( 5)In Salt Lake City, the Utah Legislature passed a bill creating a special district with the aim of bringing a Major League Baseball team. If MLB awards Utah a franchise, the state would own the venue and lease it back to a team for 30 years. ( 6)Major League Baseball has no immediate plans for expansion. Commissioner Rob Manfred anticipates a two-team expansion process by January 2029, with a new team not starting play until 2031. Nashville and Salt Lake City are among the frontrunners. ( 7)Sales tax dollars are also being directed towards the planned renovation of the Delta Center in Salt Lake City to accommodate the Utah Jazz and the new Utah Hockey Club. The city raised its sales tax rate by half a percent to generate funds for the project. ( 8)The Jazz Bear waving a Utah Hockey Club flag before the first-ever regular season NHL game held at the Delta Center showcases the excitement and potential of these sports developments in Salt Lake City. ( 9)Overall, the costs and developments in MLB stadiums in different cities are shaping the future of professional baseball. ( 10)

Unraveling the Costs and Aspirations of MLB Stadiums