Commerce Committee chairman and Chamber CEO: Pass legislation to improve Chase Field, keep DBacks in Arizona

This column by Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden and state House Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Jeff Weninger originally appeared at azcentral.com. 

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.

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 chairman of the state House Commerce Committee and the sponsor of HB 2704.