Hall: D-backs optimistic but feeling urgency to update Chase Field

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ lease at Chase Field ends after 2027, and as the 2025 calendar year sits on the horizon, Derrick Hall said Tuesday that he is feeling an urgency to unite with local leaders to fund a renovation of the downtown Phoenix stadium.

“We’re not much further than we have been, unfortunately,” the D-backs CEO and president told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show. “I don’t know who that (blame) goes on. Place it on us, place it on our partners. But there just hasn’t been much urgency. I think we’re realizing now as we look at the calendar that there needs to be much more.”

To recap: The D-backs have landed on a plan for how to fund an estimated $400-500 million upgrade to the guts of Chase Field, which is owned by the county. The building has dealt with issues from its roof to its cooling system of late. While the team has been open about those issues, owner Ken Kendrick and Hall have remained firm that they are pursuing a resolution to stay at the club’s original ballpark.

To pay for renovations, the Diamondbacks plan to follow a similar path as the Arizona Cardinals, who in a proposition passed before building what’s now State Farm Stadium created a financial stream via recaptured income and stadium sales taxes. Some of that money is funneled back into any upgrades and upkeep for their Glendale home.

“You’re taking income tax, you’re taking sales tax. Everything that’s generated through football and non-football events there then goes back into the building — not all of it — but the majority of it goes back into the building so that they can renovate that,” Hall said Tuesday. “That makes sense for us.

“If we can look at some of the sales tax we’re generating for state, county, city, put that back into the stadium — not to the D-backs, not to our operations — but merely for the renovation each and every year so you have that funding pipeline, that’s what makes the most sense. And that’s what most municipalities are doing for their stadiums.”

Now, the D-backs’ blueprint will likely need help in the next state legislative session that begins shortly after 2025 begins, Hall said.

Hall is making sure to publicize his own urgency to find a solution, but he remains confident the Diamondbacks will stay at Chase Field.

“I don’t think it’s much of an uphill battle. Now, you never know. It seems like we have the support,” Hall said. “When we talk to people privately, those that are working in the government in any of the three municipalities (Phoenix, Maricopa County and Arizona), they all seem to get it.

“There’s already precedent. That’s what’s happening at the NFL stadium, locally … We’ve got support from all the business leaders and organizations.”

Who is supporting the D-backs’ pursuit of a new Chase Field renovation revenue stream?

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Downtown Phoenix Inc. have told Hall they are supportive of the MLB club’s pursuit to remain at its current location, he said.

The county and team have had their past disagreements — which led to Arizona eyeing options to move away from downtown Phoenix — but are in a better place these days.

Regardless, Maricopa County does not have the funds to help with renovations like the city of Phoenix did with the Phoenix Suns’ Footprint Center upgrades in 2019.

The Suns needed a city council vote to pass a $230 million facelift. Phoenix paid for $150 million of the project, with the team under then-owner Robert Sarver covering the rest.

More recently, the backdrop looms of the Arizona Coyotes failing to find a stadium home before the franchise was moved to Utah.

The Coyotes failed to land a Tempe arena via a failed citizen vote. Then, the NHL franchise attempted to purchase land in Phoenix, but it lacked governmental support.

Hall believes the Diamondbacks have a good chance of staying at Chase Field with a different type of plan. Lease negotiations with the county are ongoing in case the issue isn’t resolved soon, but the D-backs hope to finally see movement to help their renovation plans starting early in 2025.

“I think there’s an appetite now to make sure that we do it the right way,” Hall said.

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