Fresno Grizzlies Could Pay Half of Current Lease, Once Approved By City Council

With Opening Day on Thursday, the Fresno Grizzlies were hoping to get their modified lease approved by the Fresno City Council on the same day, but the Council has decided to postpone the item to three weeks instead.

Councilmember Esmeralda Soria wanted to postpone the item so she could get up to speed on the history of the City’s ownership of the stadium with the Grizzlies’ lease.

The Grizzlies currently pay $ 1.5 million dollars, and with their new lease, they could pay half that.

It’s no secret that the Grizzlies have been looking for new buyers for sometime now. Hopefully, with this new lease, they’ll be able to obtain a new one easier. This amendment to their lease would include incentives. If new buyers make up to $ 1 million dollars in improvements to the stadium, the City would match it.

Grizzlies General Manager Derek Franks said, "It simplifies the process and makes the rent due when we have the most cash flow, which is from April to August, rather than payments to spread during the entire season. So, that will help a lot as far as the club not getting behind as frequently as we have in the past."