Baltimore Orioles, MSA Reach Tentative Settlement Agreement

Settlement pending approval of Board of Public Works

10/15/2007 -- The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement on a settlement of all pending legal issues pertaining to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Since it ushered in a new era of ballpark design in 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards has been the standard-bearer for sports facilities in the United States. The city of Baltimore and the entire state of Maryland have derived significant economic impact totaling in the billions of dollars from the over 48.5 million fans who have attended Orioles games over the past 16 seasons, as well as from the millions more who have participated in festivals, meetings and community events that have been held at the ballpark.

The Orioles and MSA have long discussed the importance of replacing and upgrading the Oriole Park video and audio systems in order to maintain these systems at an elite level within current sports facility standards. The continuous and ongoing upgrade of entertainment and other integral ballpark equipment and systems that create the Orioles fan experience are critical to the preservation of the ballpark's historic reputation and continued success as a venue and as a catalyst for tourism and economic impact in the city and state.

"These enhancements will greatly benefit the fans by providing state-of-the-art technology while still maintaining the ballpark's traditional atmosphere," said Orioles Director of Communications Greg Bader. "The Orioles are pleased that the Maryland Stadium Authority Board is addressing the renewal of the entertainment systems that will ensure that Oriole Park remains second-to-none in the entertainment experience it will provide millions of fans in the years to come."

If approved, the settlement will allow the parties to move forward in replacing the audio and video equipment at Oriole Park with a target date of Opening Day, 2008. The Orioles and MSA both agree that the settlement as proposed provides the only possibility of purchasing the much needed upgrades to the current audio and video equipment in time for the 2008 season.

Source: MLB

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