Report: Pittsburgh Pirates Threatening to Sue Over PNC Upgrades

As first reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Pirates are poised to take legal action against the Sports & Entertainment Authority.

Mark Belko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Pittsburgh Pirates are threatening legal action against the Sports & Entertainment Authority (SEA) over needed upgrades to PNC Park.

Per Belko’s reporting, the Pittsburgh Pirates are frustrated that the SEA – PNC Park’s owner – is moving too slowly to pay for capital upgrades to the park.

Here is a quote from Pirates president Frank Coonelly, as reported in the PG:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette” link=”http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2016/12/29/Pirates-threatening-legal-action-against-Sports-Exhibition-Authority-for-refusal-of-PNC-Park-repairs/stories/201612290078?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#link_time=1482999427″ color=”” class=”” size=””]“We have suggested solutions to the SEA’s unfunded liabilities but rather than building a productive partnership in which we work together in the best interests of a tremendous community asset and the residents who enjoy it, your stance over the last few years is to force us to literally beg that fundamental provisions of our lease be followed,” Mr. Coonelly wrote.[/perfectpullquote]

The dispute revolves around use of the capital reserve fund, a fund managed by the SEA that receives revenue from PNC Park ticket surcharges. It is the Pirates’ position that the upgrades needed – out of town scoreboard and video board renovations among them – fall under needed repairs. The SEA, on the other hand, sees them as improvements, and thus would not fall under acceptable uses of the capital reserve fund.

Mary Conturo – the executive director of the SEA – countered:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette” link=”http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2016/12/29/Pirates-threatening-legal-action-against-Sports-Exhibition-Authority-for-refusal-of-PNC-Park-repairs/stories/201612290078?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#link_time=1482999427″ color=”” class=”” size=””]“We disagree with their conclusion that the public is obligated to pay for certain replacements on demand, whether they are needed or not,” she said.[/perfectpullquote]

The threat of legal action is more likely a bit of posturing on the part of the Pittsburgh Pirates to force movement on the issue. The public spat serves as the second such episode in the Pirates’ system as the Double-A Altoona Curve went through similar difficulty in seeking upgrades for PNG Field in Altoona.

Pirates Breakdown reported on that issue back in September. During those tense negotiations, Curve ownership and Eastern League President Joe McEacharn each expressed frustration at numerous parties involved – from the park’s landlord to local government – to “pay their share” of the needed funds.

Both instances are fascinating examples of how a city’s sports institutions work with local government to share the load of stadium upkeep.