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Sarpy County Move Likely For Royals Save Email Print
Financing needs to be secured
Posted: 12:45 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:39 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Reporter: Jim Siedlecki
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
56 comments
A | A | A

Omaha Royals president Alan Stein announced Wednesday he has agreed in principle to a memorandum of understanding with Sarpy County regarding the construction of a new baseball stadium.

It is a preliminary contract exclusive to Sarpy County until March 15th. The memorandum has the Royals leasing and operating the stadium for 25 years. Based on that the county has drawn up preliminary finance plans, but they have not been made public.

The county estimates it has spent $100,000 to secure the deal. Officials say none has been property tax revenue.

Following the news conference in Papillion with Sarpy County Administrator Mark Wayne, Stein said all signs appear positive that the Royals and Sarpy County can continue to move forward in finding financing for the ballpark.

Stein called it a significant first step. “This is only a first date, not an engagement, but it’s a good first date.” Stein cautioned that a final agreement is a long way off.

The memorandum of understanding is expected to be on the agenda for a vote by the full Sarpy County Board at its meeting next Tuesday.

No location within Sarpy County has been disclosed. The Royals have been shopping around for a new stadium after the announcement that Rosenblatt Stadium will be torn down in favor of a new downtown Omaha ballpark.

The Royals were unable to come to terms with MECCA, the board that operates Qwest Center Omaha, for the team to play in the new stadium.
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Posted by: The Rock on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:24 PM
The Royals get $100K per year t move out of Rosenblatt clubhouses, stadium and offices. Other than that you are right on To Stein-er All I can say JOE-ENUFF is 2000 is less than 5400 and to have high school, college, concerts and other events in banquet facilities and suites year-round will bring a use of 125-175 dates over the year.
Posted by: To Stein-er on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Nope! Wrong! The only reason Omaha paid the Royals $900K a year was for the inconvenience of being on the road for the 10 days the CWS was in town. Sarpy county doesn't have that debt to incur since the CWS doesn't play there. I support the move because it makes sense, in light of their new business model (smaller stadium, better fan interaction, etc). Omaha should have taken a closer look at building the smaller venue for the Royals in No-Do back in 2003 but alas we voted NO. It would have solved this and the current CWS/No-Do debacle (which wouldn't have moved because Royals@No-Do would have been too small for the CWS to play in). The Royals are smart by going to Sarpy county where they will get everything they have always wanted. Omaha leadership, not so much for allowing the team to consider leaving in the first place. To Alan Stein: Good luck in your new home, see ya' there and as always, GO ROYALS!
Posted by: Yes! on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Way to go ROYALS! I totally support your move to greener pastures and if given the opportunity, I will make the trip from South Omaha to see you play (sadly, I can't say the same for the CWS when it moves to No-Do). While I would have wished to see you for many more years at the 'Blatt, I understand your need for a smaller venue. Best of luck!
Posted by: JOE-ENUFF on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Hey Mr. 'NO IT ALL' rock... whether it is 2K or 5400- YOU still don't have a sold out stadium... Mr. Stein has said he wants a 'scaled down/smaller stadium'- what do YOU do with the rest of the seats and the rest of the year- all you have is a NEW stadium.... and Mr. rock- at NO time have I indicated I am anti Royals or Stadium, there are honest questions that needs to be ask... since you seem to be in the 'inner circle', why don't you provide the answers... if you have any...
Posted by: The Rock on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:16 PM
JOE-ENUFF and Martin H...you guys don't see or read facts do you. Do your homework before you type. It would save us all some time.
Posted by: Dave on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:11 PM
For all of you Nay sayers,the reason you are now bashing this,is because thios will be the single most,largest fiscal blunder in the HISTORY of Omaha. The royals will be profitable,and it will all go to Sarpy County...There are people who absolutely refuse to go downtown unless they absolutely have too. I love the upstream,but will drive just as far to go out west than I would tyo go downtown with all the "mall rats" thug wanna be's and unsightly trash that litters the streets. And 10X's as many families will take their kids to the west O stadium than would to downtown. So just live with the fact that this will be a excellent fiscal move for the Royals..and with the exception of the worthless Bluejays.(which we still don't know how much if any they will have to pay)..is the 10 days the CWS is here..
Posted by: JOE-ENUFF on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I still would like somebody to tell me what the difference is if you have a 30K seat stadium & seat 2K fans, or a 10K seat stadium & seat 2K fans... you still have 2K fans... What does the stadium do from September to April- out of season...
Posted by: Martin H on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Once the newness wears off on the new Sarpy Stadium, attendance numbers will return to the 500-1000 people like they were at Rosenblatt. It's still tied to the KC Royals, and they will still not be very good. Bye Royals! Omaha has already found your replacement.
Posted by: Suzanne on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Count me as one more "I'm in" for the Royals in Sarpy county. Considering the fact that I've only been to one Royals game in years (and have NEVER been to a CWS game, at all), I'd actually be willing to buy SEASON tickets, just to avoid the "wonderful" new downtown boondoggle. Heck, I'm even planning on moving to Sarpy from Douglas next year, just to avoid the obvious taxes to pay for that fiasco. Looks like now Omaha has now lost the 2012 swim trials in order to accommodate the CWS...what a mess!
Posted by: Ray on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Where are all the comments from people who wanted a new stadium ????? Maybe they can put the unemployment office in the new stadium, and that way it will get lots of use. Yes i wanted a new stadium, but not stuck in the middle of the quest center lots. Now when i go to the sarpy county royals,at least i will have a parking spot.
Posted by: jan on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:24 AM
we are all in hard times and we going to spend all that money for that what a waste it seems to me when evrything is so high increase in electic and fuel for homes and cars food why not give money back to the consumer and another ball park people can not afford to go events here and the quest center for a family to go out to events are costly
Posted by: Bill on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:14 AM
We all know what is coming next – an Entertainment Community. It is basically the same as the learning community; Omaha stealing revenue from the suburbs to pay for its mistakes and the suburbs getting nothing in return. Yep, even thought the Omaha Royals will be in Sarpy County, Omaha will get its “fair share” of your entertainment dollars from the Royals’ baseball games.
Posted by: Erin on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Thankfully I should be out of Sarpy county before my taxes go up to pay for it...
Posted by: Osaar on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:39 AM
If the royals want a new stadium let them build it themselfs not on the tax payers dime.
Posted by: ted on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:35 AM
How to build a stadium. Take the names of all that go and raise there taxes leave everbody elses taxes alone.
Posted by: Hey Todd on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Check with the YMCA. I'm fairly certain those type of facilities already exist and are barely used.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:30 AM
They need a stadium outside of Omaha, in a town too big (>10,000 pop) for Omaha to annex for more property tax money (to support the decrepit and failed NE Omaha public schools).
Posted by: To Becky on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:29 PM
I don't know how reputable your source is but I would have to say if the royals program is talking to Sarpy county about moving to a stadium in that county I would highly doubt it would be for only four or five years. That just wouldn't make sense not only to the royals but for Sarpy County to invest in a stadium that might be a ghost stadium after five years. I don't believe it and maybe that was the case if they remained as rosenblatt.
Posted by: Dennis Kelly on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:14 PM
As a CWS supporter, my prediction for this mess. New stadium built downtown - a brand new minor league team is signed. In the meantime, Royals start construction on new stadium near I-80 & 370, but this stadium is not completed until after the new one downtown. Result - bankruptcy for rural stadium, which ends up being converted into a grain storage facility.
Posted by: cindy on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:14 PM
what is wrong with these people? we don't need another stadium,just like we didn't need to do anything with Rosenblatt Stadium, or build a stupid bridge. All that money could go to add more police officers on the street to take care of this horrible violence going on. Every day there is something terrible going on. I find it odd that the mayor couldn't use that money for more officers, but no problem to use it on a stadium or a bridge. Another stadium for the royals? They stink! That money should be used for homeless shelters, jail improvements, abused women and children, schools, etc. Someone on the news said we also need another shopping area over by where this stadium will be. Yep, that's what we need. More stores, more credit card offers to get us more in debt and in more of a recession. These council people or whoever they are don't have to worry about money like the rest of us!
Posted by: Chris on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:01 PM
OK do I have this correct we are going to build a new stadium downtown, knock down Rosenblat, and build a new stadium in Sarpy for the Royals. How dumb are we? How much money can we use for no reason?
Posted by: Mike on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Why wouldn't the city of Omaha and the mayor's puppet Mecca board do everyathing possible to keep the Royals in the new stadium? Because when the NCAA says jump, the mayor and Mecca did just that. In these difficult financial times, it is absurd that we would agree to build a new stadium that we would only use ten days a year. Ten years from now when the CWS begins to falter and the seats go empty, we taxpayers will look back at the recent decisions made for us and wonder why we let it happen. Maybe the zoo will take the new stadium for a parking lot too. We are and will be the laughing stock of the midwest, those living outside the metro area must think there is something in our water. I say let the Sarpy County or LaVista or whatever Royals have their new stadium. After all, Omaha does not need any of the sales tax revenue, we have loads of money.
Posted by: New Royals Fan! on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I didn't like to drive downtown anyway! SEASON TICKETS! Thanks Royals! Your move has my support and dollars!
Posted by: ????? on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Maybe we should call them the Sarpy Royals then.
Posted by: Amy on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I will absolutely go to games at the new stadium! I am not going to drag small kids around downtown omaha to go and see a game. I will be happy to drive a couple of miles down the road to take the family out to watch the games!!!
Posted by: The Rock on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Interesting comments...I am for the new stadium with a little caution - how it is going to be paid for. I do want to comment on a few things - 1. The O-Royals attendance was nearly 5400 per game this year. 2. Their total attendance was almost 350K for the season which surpassed all of the sports teams in town, including the CWS. 3. They don't sell wins and losses, they sell affordable family fun and promotions. The KC Royals control the players and the team. 4. affiliated Minor League Baseball is the second highest drawing pro sport (only behind Major League Baseball) and outdraws the NFL and NBA combined 5. The team has said that those who have ticket plans (full or mini) will have first priority in their new stadium. 6. Other than the O-Royals 72 games, stadium could be used for other high school, college events and concerts to go along with charity events. Call the Royals...they will talk to you. Good people there now.
Posted by: Mike on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:41 PM
That is awesome. I think it would be great and agree with the majority of you. I too live in Sarpy and would love to see the royals move over here. My kids love going to the royals games but we never got to them due to the distance we had to drive. I hope this goes through and the Royals get a way better crowd that would be awesome. Good job Sarpy planners and Royals
Posted by: Steve A. on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:43 PM
While not much of a baseball fan, if the Royals have success attracting bigger crowds out west, maybe then someone will realize us "dummies" out west only go to the river when we have to. The current "stick pins" around Omaha only have one attraction west of the Joslyn and that is Boystown. How about some attractions out west? I won't go to the CWS downtown and have never been to one at Rosenblatt. As said in an earlier post - build something everyone could use year round!
Posted by: ERIC on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:39 PM
are they going to put a 10 seat stadium!!! that team just needs to move out of the state find a new home
Posted by: Steve on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Bring them on, Season Tickets Woo Hoo!
Posted by: helen j on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:25 PM
If Royals dont use this new stadium then Mike Fahey should be recalled!!
Posted by: FAN on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Maybe we should explore the MECA administration. They tried to strong arm the Royals and the Royals give them something to think about. An empty stadium except for a week out of the year. The MECA board has made some bad decisions and just another bad one. They have a hard time maintaing the property around the Qwest Center let alone a ballfield. WEEDs in the parking area beds weeds in the grass and all that crabgrass maybe they will be transplanting it to their new field of losing the taxpayers of Omaha money.
Posted by: Stein-er on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Thank God, the last thing Omaha needs is this team costing them money every year. It would be one thing if Omaha made money off them, let Sarpy hemorrhage cash for the next 25 years instead.
Posted by: Amy on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:34 PM
I'll buy season tickets! Make that 502 fans!
Posted by: MURRAY on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:27 PM
NO ONE WILL COME JUST LIKE NO ONE COMES NOW.....HAVE YOU SEEN THE ROYALS PROSPECTS....AND EVEN IF THEY DO GET GOOD(SEE RAUL IBANEZ JOHNNY DAMON)THEY LEAVE BEACUSE THE BIG CLUB CANT PAY EM. WHY WASTE THAT TIME AND EFFORT AND A LOW TIER BALL CLUB?
Posted by: Tonya on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Yeah, this is EXACTLY what we need during a freaking recession!! One stadium that is used 10 days a year and one stadium that is used 2 weeks a year. That makes sense to me!!! Lets use some of that money to get the homeless off the streets, or put more money into the schools, or more cops for the recent violence. We need this like we need a hole in our heads!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Its amazing that there is so much importance being paid to a MINOR leage team. Heck, they probably could play at a little league park and still not sell out.
Posted by: to Bill J & Mitch on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Boy, Bill you're right about the mad dash to get to games. Even though we don't live in WEST O we can still get to Papillion faster than we could get to Rosenblatt. And Mitch, make me fan #502...
Posted by: To Mitch on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Make that 501 fans as I join the Royals in Sarpy Co. Go Royals, if you build it WE WILL COME!!!!!
Posted by: tom on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:30 PM
If this happens I think they need to stop the plans to build the downtown stadium. No need for two stadiums.
Posted by: Joe on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:16 PM
People will fill a Sarpy county royals stadium. Omaha is not like other big cities with a giant downtown population. Most of us live out west! I will be the first one in line to buy season tickets, while I have only been to 3 or 4 royals games in the last 20 years.
Posted by: Todd on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Thats great lets all go to the game tonight. Oh yea, we cant use a stadium this time of year. How about we build something the COMMUNITY can use all year long? Indoor swimming center? Recreation center? Gee, what a concept...
Posted by: BillJ on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:46 PM
FINALLY! Putting a ballpark closer to the people that will actually go to the games! I will gladly give up my CWS season tickets and purchase Royals season ticekts. Fahey was an idiot for not building a stadium in West O. Unless you live downtown, rarely does one go downtown! West O residents will support a ball club and stadium, in another county, if it means being able to get to a ball game prior to first pitch. That was the problem with Rosenblatt--By the time you got off work, got the kids ready, yourself ready and to the stadium it was well into the first inning, or it was such a rush rush that it wasn't fun. KUDOS to Sarpy County...Fahey--So glad you are not running for re-election.
Posted by: jim on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Who are these people that keep pushing for just more waste of taxpayers money. As a Sarpy County resident this is sooo low on any needs I would have. Those who want to see baseball...please, please just go elsewhere. We don't need in Sarpy County!
Posted by: KD on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Can't wait to hear the details for the ORoyals! This is awesome! It all makes sense to build in Sarpy Cty. The team will finally be well supported. It is high, high quality ball and a fun time. When can we buy our season tickets?
Posted by: Becky on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I was told by a former Royals employee that they only plan to be in the area for 4-5 years. I certainally don't want my tax dollars going for something short term like that.
Posted by: helen j on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:29 AM
i think the royal should play at the new stadium at this time.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:16 AM
It's a good thing we'll have a nice big stadium that is used one week a year!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Yay a stadium surrounded by acres and acres of asphalt.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Great job Fahey! So who exactly is going to use and pay for the new stadium?
Posted by: Mitch on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Well, I guess they can take their 500 fans with them...
Posted by: Steven on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Another Great job of negotiations by the king of Omaha, fahey and his inner circle!!! Now the city can cut back on personnel to maintain the NODO palace as the grass will only need to be cut for 2 weeks a year!!!fahey should get on the news tonight and announce this CUTBACK that HE instigated with his skills of common sense!!!!
Posted by: Jarbeau on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:13 AM
They can lose in an empty stadium in Sarpy County just as well as in Douglas County. Maybe the CWS will move also.
Posted by: Mike on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Maybe we can get a team downtown that would actually be worth going to see play baseball. And one that could pick a name a stick with it. Another name change with the location change? Once Sarpy county residents see what the price tag is to have a minor leauge team they may call it them the Sarpy County Shockers.
Posted by: a concerned citizen on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Mayor Fahey wonders why sales revenues are down. Wants everyone to cut back. I think not building a new stadium would save a couple of bucks.
Posted by: LLR on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Well, then it's official. There is absolutely NO NEED to build a $160 million baseball stadium that will be used 10 days out of the year. Sure hope the next mayor reverses this mess with the NCAA. Way to go, Fahey. I'll be supporting the Royals in their new home from now on, and it WON'T be in "No D'Oh"!
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