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Council approves amendment to stadium agreement: city to receive naming‑rights revenue and shed travel liability
Summary
City and team amended the ballpark facility agreement to reflect changes in Minor League Baseball structure and ownership; the city will receive $117,500 in naming‑rights revenue in year one (3% annual increase) and will no longer be contractually liable for up to $200,000 a year in visiting‑team travel costs.
The City Council approved an amendment to the Riverfront Stadium (formerly Lawrence‑Dumont) facility agreement that reworks naming‑rights revenue sharing and reflects changes in professional baseball structure and team ownership.
“Major League Baseball took over Minor League Baseball, eliminated Minor League, and also eliminated a number of affiliations around the country,” City Manager Bob Layton summarized, describing league‑level changes that prompted a renegotiation of the city’s original 2018 lease and use agreement. He said new franchise owner DBH Wichita LLC assumed the team and has operated the franchise since 2022.
Layton said the amendment simplifies how naming‑rights revenue is shared and eliminates a city exposure in the original contract that could have required the city to contribute up to $200,000 annually for visiting‑team travel. Under the amendment, the city will receive $117,500 in naming‑rights revenue in the first year; that amount will increase 3% annually for 15 years. City staff estimated naming‑rights receipts combined with the stadium management privilege (rent) will allow the city to fully fund a capital reserve and begin adding $250,000 per year to a maintenance reserve starting in 2027. Over the remaining lease term the city projects roughly $4 million in capital contributions plus about $3.5 million in reserve funds, providing financial flexibility for future upkeep and potential debt service.
The amendment was reviewed by the Law Department and Major League Baseball and recommended for approval. Council voted 7‑0 to approve the first amendment, the contractual restatement and to authorize signatures.
