Commentary: Camden Yards lease agreement casts aside Stadium Authority’s good work

Now, under the memorandum of understanding executed by Gov. Wes Moore and Orioles Chairman and CEO John Angelos, the Maryland Stadium Authority as created 37 years ago will cease to exist. The rationale they use is a move toward more efficient operations, but what it really means is that hundreds of millions of dollars that belong to the citizens of Maryland will be given to the Orioles to spend as they see fit.

The decisions to spend that money for short-term benefit or to make sure the useful lives of the stadiums are extended for many decades will be made by the Orioles and not the Stadium Authority. The likely result is underinvestment in infrastructure and systems. At some point in the future, the team owner will say the team needs more money because the stadium is deteriorating. We see this with sports facilities all over the state and around the country where team owners have full control over their stadiums.

Orioles ownership needs a reality check | STAFF COMMENTARY

People root for Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, not for ownership. It’s one thing to have disagreements over details of the lease, it’s quite another to attempt a fleecing of the taxpayers. Angelos has made all kinds of assurances about keeping the team in Baltimore and about committing to a long-term lease. The clock is ticking and patience has begun to wear thin. He needs to make good on those promises — and he needs to do it without taking shelter, food and other essentials from people who can’t afford to attend one of his games let alone stay at a fancy hotel, eat in a 4-star restaurant or buy a luxury condominium.