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Los Angeles Times
18-04-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
The Dodgers sell hot dogs for $7.99. The Diamondbacks sell them for $2.99. Why?
In the seventh inning, fans rise and sing about buying peanuts and Cracker Jack at the ballgame. But what if the concession prices have risen so much that fans have to think twice about buying? At Dodger Stadium, a Dodger Dog costs $7.99. As ticket prices have soared, a small but growing number of teams in all sports are offering a limited menu of basic concession items at fan-friendly prices. At Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, a hot dog costs $2.99. Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said team executives discussed whether discounting a handful of concession items would cost the team some revenue. It turns out, he said, they make more money that way. 'People feel like they're getting a bargain,' Hall said, 'and they buy more.' The Chase Field $2.99 menu includes hot dogs, sodas, peanuts and popcorn. The Baltimore Orioles offer seven food items at $4 or less, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzel bites and desserts. Nine other teams have value menus or $1 hot dogs for selected games, based on the fan value page on the league website. At the Delta Center, home of the NBA's Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, the $3 menu includes hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and ice cream. The Atlanta Falcons, the NFL team credited with starting the trend, offer hot dogs, sodas, popcorn and pretzels at $2 each, with $3 items including sweet tea, peach shakes, nachos and vegan dogs. The Dodgers have studied whether to introduce a value menu at Dodger Stadium, team president Stan Kasten said. 'We will increase the number of transactions if we have lower prices,' he said. 'They say they make more money that way.' That would be great, Kasten said, except for what he said was an insurmountable obstacle. 'I hate to say this,' he said. 'It's a terrible thing to say. I wish it wasn't true. 'We can't physically handle more transactions.' The fan experience would be worsened that way, Kasten said. The notoriously long Dodger Stadium concessions lines would get even longer, and the notoriously crowded concourses would get even more crowded. Dodger Stadium is built into the side of a hill, which cramps space for existing concession stands and kitchens and complicates any plans to widen the concourses. In 2013, the Dodgers needed to remove seats in order to expand concourses. The Dodgers allow fans to bring in their own food and drink, provided the food is in a small clear bag and the drink is in a factory-sealed bottle, no larger than one liter, and non-alcoholic.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Browns face questions from taxpayers on funding for dome: I-Team
HUDSON, Ohio (WJW) – Executives from the Cleveland Browns went to a town hall in Hudson on Thursday to explain to taxpayers why the team is asking for $600 million from the state to help build a dome in Brook Park. They faced a tough crowd. 'I like football, ' one woman said. 'I like the Browns, but how many games did they win last year?' State Senator Casey Weinstein, (D) District 28, held the town hall with state Representative Derrick Hall, (D) District 34, to focus on tax dollars for all kinds of needs. 'I wanted the Browns to hear the concerns I am hearing from my constituents and have the chance to explain their position,' Weinstein said. 'My job is to hear from both sides and try to make the best decision.' CLE fire rescue team preps for 'big risk for floods' The Browns explained they are asking the state for bond money and the team would pay that back and more. They stressed they are not taking tax money used for things like schools and libraries. They added the project would be beneficial for the entire state. But not everyone in the crowd was convinced. 'I think everyone in this room can agree that our veterans deserve better than our professional sports teams,' one woman said. While the Browns took heat at the meeting, some state representatives in Columbus are pushing a measure to get the Browns their money. The first big vote will likely be next week. See how we're leaving a lasting mark inside the St. Jude Dream Home Meanwhile, the Browns and the city of Cleveland are battling in federal and state court over the Modell law, which restricts sports teams from moving. This week, more legal arguments were filed, but no hearings have been held yet. The I-Team also asked the Browns: What if they don't get the state funding to help pay for a dome? Officials said they don't want to think of any other option. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arizona would be fools to let the Diamondbacks walk away
Arizona is a sports state. We pack stadiums, host championships and attract millions of fans. But major league teams aren't guaranteed to stay forever — just ask Coyotes fans. The loss of an NHL franchise should be a wake-up call. We can't afford to lose another. That's why House Bill 2704 was introduced — to keep Arizona a top-tier sports market. This bill creates a responsible, sustainable framework to modernize a publicly owned stadium and secure the Diamondbacks' future in Arizona. This isn't just about baseball; it's about protecting a powerful economic engine and preventing the costly mistake of losing another franchise. The competition for professional teams is fiercer than ever. Cities like Salt Lake, Nashville and Portland are making aggressive plays, offering lucrative stadium deals to lure franchises away. If we don't act, Arizona risks becoming a market that leagues overlook or abandon. The Diamondbacks' lease at Chase Field expires in 2027. We can't wait until the eleventh hour to find a solution. Cities that plan ahead and invest in their teams will keep them; those that hesitate will watch them leave. The DBacks play a bigger role in Arizona than just baseball — they help drive jobs, tourism and economic growth. Their impact goes far beyond the ballpark: $107 million in direct economic impact from the DBacks' 2023 playoff run alone. More than $5.4 billion in GDP from Chase Field over 25 years, hosting marquee events like the World Series, MLB All-Star Game and College Football Bowl Games. $93 million invested in Arizona communities — which as DBacks CEO Derrick Hall has said, is more than any other local sports franchise. Thousands of jobs supported, from stadium employees to hotels, restaurants and businesses that rely on game-day traffic. Spring training and MLB tourism inject millions of additional dollars into the state each year. Major League Baseball teams aren't just entertainment. They're economic powerhouses. Losing one doesn't just hurt fans — it cripples local businesses. Look at Oakland, where shuttered storefronts and struggling restaurants are the fallout of losing an MLB team. We can't let Arizona make the same mistake. Chase Field is now one of the oldest ballparks in the National League. Built in 1998, it has never undergone a major renovation, and its HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems are failing. Aging infrastructure doesn't fix itself. These upgrades are necessary to keep the stadium functional, competitive and built to last. HB 2704 ensures Chase Field remains a premier venue through a proven public-private partnership that keeps the Diamondbacks in Arizona without putting the burden on taxpayers. The plan doesn't create a new tax — it reinvests revenue that Chase Field is already generating. If you don't attend games, your tax dollars won't, either. Letter to the editor: Are DBacks too cheap to fix the AC? Similar models, including the voter-approved Arizona Sports Tourism Authority, have successfully kept teams like the Arizona Cardinals in state by maintaining world-class venues without shifting costs onto taxpayers. HB 2704 ensures that every dollar stays within the stadium, funding critical improvements that protect Chase Field as an asset for the state. The Diamondbacks aren't asking for a handout — they're investing in their own future. They've already spent millions on repairs on a publicly owned building, including a new roof and LED lighting, and will cover the majority of the estimated $500 million renovation cost. HB 2704 simply provides a sustainable funding mechanism to complete the necessary upgrades. Sports are the pulse of Arizona's identity and economy, bringing national visibility, tourism and major investment to our state. The Diamondbacks' World Series run wasn't just a victory for the team — it was free advertising for Arizona's business climate and quality of life. We can't afford to gamble with the future of professional baseball in Arizona. The NHL forced the Coyotes to relocate after years of instability over their venue. If we fail to act, Major League Baseball could face similar questions about the DBacks' long-term future in Phoenix. HB 2704 is a smart, strategic and necessary solution to keep Arizona at the forefront of professional sports. Lawmakers and business leaders must come together to secure the Diamondbacks' future in Phoenix. It's time to step up to the plate and pass HB 2704. Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, is the sponsor of HB 2704. On X, formerly Twitter: @dbseiden and @jeffweninger. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks can renovate Chase Field without a handout | Opinion
