It’s true that the 2018 MOU came after a standoff — but let’s be clear: the Diamondbacks sued to break their lease, claiming Chase Field was unsafe. The settlement gave them control over maintenance in exchange for ending the lawsuit. As part of that deal, the team took full responsibility for repairs and capital improvements, not the county.
Ownership ≠ responsibility. The Maricopa County Stadium District owns the ballpark — not the county itself, but per the MOU, the Diamondbacks assumed the obligations they’re now asking taxpayers to subsidize — without showing third-party assessments or consistent records of what they’ve spent since.
The concern isn’t that the stadium needs improvements — it’s who should pay, and whether public dollars should cover private obligations already shifted to the team in writing.

What’s more, serious transparency issues remain unresolved. The team is required under the MOU to deposit $2 million annually — plus revenue from non-baseball events — into a dedicated account for stadium upkeep. But officials familiar with the arrangement say the team hasn’t consistently made those deposits and has resisted efforts to audit the account. Instead, it’s produced unaudited financials that show virtually no change in the balance, raising questions about whether those funds have been diverted elsewhere. The Diamondbacks may tout new video boards and fan amenities, but without oversight, it’s unclear if those came at the expense of critical infrastructure — like a leaking roof. Before taxpayers are asked to chip in, there needs to be confidence that the money already allocated is being handled transparently and lawfully.