Cubs Tax Creating a Stir with Cactus League Teams

With the Chicago Cubs staying in Arizona for Cactus League Spring Training, there was no doubt that there would need to be a little give and take. Who would have imagined that all Cactus League teams would disapprove of the newest development in keeping the team in Mesa? At the onset, the White Sox and Diamondbacks made it known that they did not approve of the increase in their ticket prices in order to keep the team in Arizona. In the past week the remainder of the teams have voiced their own disapproval.

The proposed tax is the first of its kind to hit Arizona Legislature that is backed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and other Arizona Legislators. There is more to House Bill 2736 than most people had thought. In addition to the opposition from the ball clubs, car rental and travel agencies have mixed impressions of the Bill. In addition to raising the price of spring training tickets, car rentals will take a huge hit. How big of a hit? According to the Phoenix Business Journal, Phoenix already has the highest car rental taxes in the U.S. The additional taxes will range from 18 to 40% on top of that.

The original intention on keeping the Cubs in Mesa was originally backed by the fact that the team brings the most revenue and the most fans to the annual kick-off to the baseball season. Keeping the Cubs would translate to more visitors and help tourism in Arizona. With the latest developments, there is a potential that this Bill, if passed, could have the opposite effect.

Phoenix attorneys representing some of the teams have already begun to lobby against the bill. With pitchers and catchers beginning to report next week, there is no doubt that this political situation will continue to hang over the 2010 spring training season.