Walter O'Malley reporting for the Arizona Gazette

August 14, 2009

In April 2009, Tempe Knights GM Christopher Van Hauter set in motion the chain of events which he hopes will uproot the team from Tempe and move it to Los Angeles.  On that April day, Van Hauter stunned Knights fans by announcing, "Our days at Knights Stadium are numbered," and that the team would have to replace its historic ballpark by 2010.  Within a week, Van Hauter went to the press with plans for a new stadium in downtown Phoenix and insisted, “This is the only practical site for a ballpark in Arizona."

Van Hauter stated that, "This is not a threat, but we're down to what we believe is our last chance (to keep the team in Arizona).”  City officials in Tempe have been critical of Van Hauter’s warnings and believe that, although Tempe is threatening to move, it is “highly unlikely”.  However, Van Hauter’s plan for a stadium in downtown Phoenix may be impractical because it requires an enormous redevelopment of the area and relocation of several Phoenix subway terminals and other facilities.  City officials, backed by a consensus of newspaper and public opinion, oppose the huge amount of public financing – about $300 million – needed to implement Van Hauter’s plan.  It seems that if Los Angeles comes along with an extraordinarily favorable offer, the Knights would leave Tempe as early as next year.

In other Knights news, the injuries just keep coming as Octávio Pexego is the latest player to go on the disabled list.  Pexego will miss the rest of the year because of a broken bone in his hand.  Also, Edward Allen was put back on the disabled list as his season of injuries continues.