Cubs, Arizona State University At Odds Over Mesa Stadium
MESA, Ariz. (CBS) - A plan for Arizona State University's baseball team to use the Chicago Cubs' new complex in Mesa may be hanging by a thread.
The Cubs approached ASU about a potential stadium deal last year, but in an e-mail to Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, ASU President Michael Crow said Cubs management was "erratic" and "not people of their word."
Crow complained that the Cubs have "all but told (ASU) that they want us out of the deal." In his e-mail, he asked Smith specifically whether "you and the council also want us out of the project, and will there be a vote of the council to that effect?"
In response, Smith said he shared Crow's frustrations.
"This is too good of a deal for all of us not to make it happen," Smith told Crow. "I'm confident we can get there, if the parties really want to. Hang in there with me."
Smith said he had expressed his feelings on "how the Cubs have handled this process" to Cubs owner Tom Ricketts.
"We hope Arizona State will be part of the new spring training facility," Cubs spokesman Julian Green said. "However, our first priority is building a world-class facility for use by the Cubs year-round. This is what the voters of Mesa approved."
