Baltimore Orioles Sign Incredible Deal to Stay in Camden Yards

The Baltimore Orioles will be staying in Camden Yards for the foreseeable future after signing an incredible deal with the state of Maryland to ensure that happens.

The baseball world isn't the only one who seems to be enamored with the thought of this Baltimore Orioles club being contenders for the future.

According to The Baltimore Sun, an agreement was reached between the Orioles and the state of Maryland to keep them at Camden Yards for the foreseeable future.

"In the memorandum announced Sept. 28, the state agreed to lease to the Orioles land near the ballpark for 99 years for annual rent totaling $94 million," they report.

On the surface, this will save the franchise a ton of money while the state of Maryland is leaving potential profits on the table.

"In its memorandum of understanding with the Orioles, the state of Maryland has set itself up to receive less revenue from state-owned land near Camden Yards — handing potentially lucrative profits to the team. Revenue that could reach millions of dollars annually from the development of land and real estate, including the Camden Yards warehouse, would flow to the ballclub. It would come on top of at least $600 million in public money for Oriole Park improvements already approved by the General Assembly, and would be in addition to a further state fund proposed in the memorandum," Hayes Gardner of The Baltimore Sun writes.

Kennesaw State University economist J.C. Bradbury has analyzed this deal and thinks the Orioles are getting the better end of things.

"That’s a lot of money ... and it’s unlikely to pay off to the public," he said. "This is essentially gifting the land to the Orioles."

There are many positives to this deal for both parties as well though.

"The flip side for the state is that — as part of the still-to-be-reached lease agreement — the Orioles would commit to staying in Baltimore for 30 more years. Plus, the land around Camden Yards, currently largely dormant, would be more effectively used. The stadium authority and Orioles both envision a year-round, entertainment destination with varied attractions that would boost Baltimore’s downtown," Gardner writes.

As far as baseball is concerned, this case is very simple.

Baltimore will stay in Camden Yards for the foreseeable future and the city will be able to watch this young group of players grow together with the chance of winning a World Series championship.