Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 11/12

USA Today

Atlanta Braves announce plans to move to new stadium

"Turner Field’s structure was originally built as the Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympics, hosting athletic events as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. After the Olympics, the venue was reconstructed into baseball-specific Turner Field and the Braves began playing there in 1997. Oct 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; An Atlanta Braves fan cheers during game one of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. The Dodgers won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY SportsThe team says they plan to build a new stadium on the northwest corner of the Interstate 75-285 interchange in Cobb County.“We are excited to announce plans to build a world-class stadium, which will open in 2017 at the NW intersection of I-75/I-285,” the team said in tweets. “We have secured a large tract of property at this location & will work to build a world-class ballpark for our fans.”Said Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement: “The Braves have kept us apprised of their stadium situation throughout this process. Major League Baseball fully supports their decision to move to a new ballpark in Atlanta for the 2017 season, and we look forward to their continued excellence representing their community, both on and off the field.”"

The Washington Times

Mayor cites cost to taxpayers in Braves move

"Mayor Kasim Reed says there was no way the Atlanta Braves were going to stay in downtown without city taxpayers spending hundreds of millions of dollars.In a statement Monday, Reed said the city was unwilling to match an offer put together by nearby Cobb County given the needs facing Atlanta.In a stunning announcement, the Braves said Monday they’re moving in 2017 to a new 42,000-seat, $672 million stadium about 10 miles from downtown in suburban Cobb County, apparently swayed by a lucrative financial package that was just too good to pass up.Reed said the city couldn’t match a $450 million offer from one of Atlanta’s sprawling northern suburbs."

Twitter