MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have no plans to ditch the proposed 8 percent surcharge on Cactus League tickets to help fund their new spring-training complex, despite opposition from commissioner Bud Selig and the 14 other Cactus League teams.
"They're welcomed to their opinion," Cubs president Crane Kenney said. "I think the legislators in Arizona and Mesa have one view, and others would like to use other (funding mechanisms), some that have been used already like (the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority funds).
"We're going to let the folks who do that for a living determine the best mechanism for financing the facility. We're happy that Mesa wants us to stay, and the (Ricketts) family is committed to trying to stay here."
The Cubs believe there is some misperception among fans about the so-called "Cubs tax," which Kenney said will also help fund future projects of Cactus League teams.
The "Gang of 14" owners opposing the tax is led by White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and the Arizona Diamondbacks, who already have received their funding for new facilities in the Valley.
Kenney said the teams he has spoken to have "made it very clear" they want the Cubs to stay in the Cactus League, where they are by far the biggest draw. How to pay for the stadium is a different story.
"Some of them have different thoughts about different funding mechanisms, and I've encouraged them to share those thoughts with the legislature," he said, adding that Reinsdorf recently told him he wanted the Cubs to stay in Arizona.
"They have other thoughts on how to finance it," he said. "I encourage Jerry to make those thoughts known to the legislators. I'm sure they've got an open-door policy and would be happy to hear from him."
Kenney said the surcharge was not the Cubs' idea, despite the public perception. He said he did not know who came up with the plan.
"We did not come up with the tax where we are the largest payer," he said.
The surcharge would add $2 to a $25 ticket, though it would be the fans paying it, not the Cubs themselves.
Kenney said the Cubs are confident the plan will be passed by the legislature this summer, and that they won't have to go to Plan B, which is to re-start negotiations with Naples, Fla.
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HOHOKAM PARK Capacity 13,074
Year Opened 1997
The cubs are looking at getting their own stadium? Every other team shares their facility with another team so why should the rest of the owners jump on board with this?
Confident huh, in this economic climate, their confident they can get legislators and taxpayers to go along with this mess? Good luck, looks like the circus is coming to Arizona over the next few months...
The Cubs, sadly, are no longer a viable baseball team; they are a only a cash cow for their owners.