Orioles lease agreement put on hold

Maryland  Governor Wes Moore put a tentative agreement on a new lease between the state and the Orioles on hold after objections from a legislator who represents the area where Camden Yards is located.

Earlier Friday, The Baltimore Sun reported an agreement on a long-term lease between the state and Maryland, but Bill Ferguson, the president of the State Senate, objected.

“I’m pleased to see significant progress has been made between the Orioles and the administration on a lease and facilities use agreement for the ballpark at Camden Yards. I’m confident the parties will reach a fair deal before the end of the year, and I appreciate the governor and his team in getting us closer to that objective.

“Fundamentally, I believe that the long-term lease for the use of the ballpark should not be conditioned on whether or not a private owner receives a 99-year ground lease to develop land owned by Maryland taxpayers. This is more relevant today, as recent news has heightened uncertainties about the future ownership of the team.

“Let’s secure a long-term lease, agree to future discussions about development around the facility, and give Orioles fans what they deserve: certainty and a winning team,” Ferguson said in a statement.

The lease expires December 31st.

The Sun report said that the tentative agreement was going to go before the Maryland Stadium Authority on Tuesday and the Board of Public Works on Wednesday.

On September 28th, Orioles Chairman and CEO John Angelos and Moore appeared on the scoreboard during the game that clinched the American League East announcing agreement on a lease. In fact, it was a memo of understanding.

On Thursday, Bloomberg reported that Carlyle Group co-chairman David Rubenstein was in negotiations to buy the team, which Ferguson referred to in his statement.

News of the roadblock was first reported by The Baltimore Banner.

Note: This story replaces the original report of a tentative agreement.