Orioles should focus more on winning, less on state handouts | READER COMMENTARY

The new lease agreement grants the Orioles a potential 30-year lease if an agreement can be reached in the future to lease public lands to the Orioles. As stated, “The deal does not yet lease public land to the Orioles for development, which was a sticking point in the negotiations. But it outlines a 30-year lease agreement that would take effect once the state and team can agree to terms on those development rights. They have until the end of 2027 to come to such terms” (“State boards approve Orioles lease with 2 weeks to spare, ending ‘uncertainty’ of negotiations,” Dec. 18). While billed as a 30-year agreement, there is an option for the Orioles to reduce their lease to 15 years if they can’t come to terms on the public lands lease.

Shouldn’t sports teams concentrate on winning games rather then trying to make more money in the leasing and development of state public lands? Sounds like Gov. Wes Moore would have thrown in the Maryland State House in Annapolis if Orioles CEO John Angelos asked for it. Moore is more a business man than a governor. And it’s a fact that he won’t be around in 15 years if the deal falls through so it won’t be his problem.

Definitely a smart politician. But aren’t all those who win elected office?

— Stas Chrzanowski, Baltimore

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