Save Baltimore's Orioles
“We’re going to have to raise the prices here — dramatically”
John Angelos, Managing Partner Baltimore Orioles, explaining his plans for keeping the team competitive after the state gives him $600 million dollars of taxpayer money.
New York Times, 8/21/2023
Chaos: John Angelos in Charge
In 2022 the State of Maryland approved 1.2 billion dollars of taxpayer money to be split equally between the Ravens and Orioles in order to get both teams to sign long term leases. The Ravens quickly signed the deal.
But John Angelos and the Orioles delayed signing their lease until the new Governor took office. Angelos was not content with $600 million dollars, he wanted additional property and more money.
Now as Baltimore's Orioles play their best season in decades, Angelos is making himself the story. He has not signed a lease, refused to share the financial state of the team, threatened to raise prices, and won't commit to signing any of the young and exciting stars that have made this season so magical.
Why Not? What the City Can Do
Baltimore City has the power to acquire the Baltimore Orioles by purchase or condemnation and to operate the team and/or sell or otherwise dispose of the team, in whole or in part, subject to such restrictions and reservations as may be necessary or appropriate. Baltimore City Charter, Article II(b).
Often cities uses the power of eminent domain to take homes and small businesses in order to build roads, apartment complexes, shopping centers, or stadiums. In Baltimore we can use that power to protect taxpayer subsidized but privately owned public treasures like Our Orioles.
Contact your elected officials and tell them to use the power they have to Keep Our Orioles here forever
Possibilities For Our Orioles
Once the City takes possession of Baltimore's Orioles they can resell the team with conditions. Those conditions could include:
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A no move clause
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Unionization of all stadium employees
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A television deal that allows all fans to watch games again
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Revenue sharing with schools, youth sports programs and community initiatives.
Or the City and the state could embrace public or community ownership like the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.
Fans, taxpayers and elected officials will need to work together to come up with specifics for the collective future of our team, but the first step is to protect Baltimore's Orioles from being taken away.
Contact Your Elected Leaders and Ask Them To Use the Power They Have To Save Our Orioles
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"Because when it comes to stadium deals, the only winners are billionaires."
Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor
"Rather than subsidizing sports stadiums, governments could finance other projects such as infrastructure or education that have the potential to increase productivity and promote economic growth.."