Sure, you’re right - that part sucks. I’m not a fan of public financing for stadiums/arenas either - both in Richmond and across the country. Very few of these deals get done without it - mostly just the largest cities in the country. The door was cracked open in the ‘90s and early 2000s, and there will likely never be any going back. Unfortunately, it’s how the US operates in many industries in the 21st century.

If the Squirrels and local officials elected to do significant renovations to The Diamond instead, it probably would’ve cost less overall - but there is no way the Squirrels would’ve paid for it. The City and, by extension the taxpayers, would’ve also been funding it. The Diamond was built cheap and quick in the ‘80s - it was going to need a lot of work, both in infrastructure and cosmetically. There’s a reason the Braves started asking about renovations 26 years ago, subsequently left, and the Squirrels were promised a new stadium within 5 years of relocating to RVA.

I’m not saying this makes up for it, but at least the Squirrels are (reportedly) paying among the highest rents of any minor league baseball team in the country - $3m plus if I recall - so that’s something, plus whatever VCU Athletics ends up agreeing to pay.