St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen doubled down on much of the city’s messaging about the lease situation involving the Newfoundland Growlers and St. John’s Edge on Tuesday.
Breen met with reporters at City Hall and was firm in stating there were no changes made to the final lease agreement, a position which differs from that of Dean MacDonald, owner of Deacon Sports and Entertainment.
Breen states that the lease “just wasn’t signed.” He references the teams being told in April that there was “no more exclusivity,” and explains that activity needed to be brought back to Mile One.
As for the future of the Newfoundland Growlers, Breen hopes both sides will get together soon and figure out a lease agreement.
Breen believes that agreement is something that needs to happen, noting that the back and forth over the last week hasn’t been productive and isn’t going to get them where they need to be.
Meanwhile, the executive director of the American Basketball Association, Joe Newman, says they have a good product. He says he’s not concerned about travel costs between the U.S. and St. John’s, as the Newfoundland team will be responsible for the visitors’ airfare.
The league will meet in Las Vegas in August to select 12 teams that will visit St. John’s to play two games each.
(Greg Smith/ Twitter)
Candidate in Municipal Election Calling on City Council to Unload Mile One
Greg Smith, who’s running at large, says the city needs to relieve taxpayers of the expensive asset. He’s asking the current council to offer an explanation to taxpayers on why we should continue with operating a money-losing stadium.
