The Arizona Diamondbacks are Suing Their Own fanbase to get out of the Lease for Chase Field

According to the 2012 Maricopa County Health Status Report, which is based on the 2010 U.S. Census, 17.4 percent of residents live below the Federal Poverty Guidelines (including 22.9 percent of Phoenix residents.) The 2016 incomes were a bit higher, but in the same ballpark. Last year's Federal Poverty Level for a family of four was $24,250.

The Arizona Diamondbacks sued Maricopa County—i.e.their fans, those residents—yesterday to break the team's lease, which runs through 2028 over who is responsible for $187-million in repairs and upgrades to Chase Field.

The home of the Diamondbacks opened in 1998 at a cost of $238-million and the county has kicked in some $40-million for repairs in the years since. This is not enough for the owners of a team worth $925-million according to the last Forbes valuation The team is claiming safety as the primary concern—which is why they definitely refused to hold the Cactus Bowl there last week, yeah right—but their heart isn't even committed to the deception. You don't have to spot the lie. The D-Backs are telling Maricopa County what they want.

What they want is out.

"'It should be made clear that the D-backs seek no damages in this suit nor are they seeking any taxpayer funding,' [team attorney Leo] Beus said. 'They are asking the court for the ability to remove the contract restriction that prevents the Diamondbacks from exploring other stadium options.'"

It isn't even the same old song-and-taxpayer-money-dance. It's the 21st-century grift, abandon the girl that brung you to the dance. A la the "Atlanta" Braves, who recently said goodbye to their not-quite-twenty-year-old Turner Field in their own suburban cash grab.

We all know where this is going, but at least two-time Arizona attorney general Grant Woods is going to unleash some venom as the Snakes slither away from Phoenix and the taxpayers who built them a stadium.

Dbacks file suit because Chase Field has become unsafe. Only danger there is for fans in outfield seats while the other team is batting.
— Grant Woods (@GrantWoods) January 4, 2017