It has been approximately six months since the Atlanta Braves announced their intentions to move out of Turner Field and into a new, suburban stadium in Cobb County for the 2017 season. At this point, the Braves and their new home have not “officially” reached the conclusion of their contract, but now, there are indications that the agreement is close to being completed.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution brings the latest report:
"The Atlanta Braves and Cobb County have substantially completed negotiations on five major agreements that are necessary before construction begins on the new Cumberland-area ballpark.In interviews with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today, Cobb County Commission chairman Tim Lee and Braves executive vice president Mike Plant said the contract drafts released to the AJC are close to the final versions to be voted upon by Cobb commissioners on May 27."
In addition to reporting that the two sides are very close at this stage, the AJC only reports that initial cost reports of $672 million may actual have over-shot the mark:
"The county and team have said consistently since announcing the Braves move in November that the stadium cost would be $672 million. But the current budget outlined in the stadium development agreement lists the “total project cost” at $622 million, with a “maximum stadium cost”of $672 million."
There has been considerable backlash from some people about the Braves deciding to move out of a stadium that isn’t even 20 years old, but with the deal that they are getting, it is tough to argue, especially when remembering that they were simply a tenant in Turner Field after moving in following the 1996 Summer Olympics. Stay tuned for updates, but it appears that all systems are a go for the Braves to head to the suburbs.