Charlotte Knights get OK for new stadium funding

Posted June 12, 2012 5:38 pm

By Caitlin Swieca

With partial public funding in place for a new stadium in uptown Charlotte, the Charlotte Knights, the AAA affiliate of the White Sox, are moving ahead with construction on BT&T Stadium.

The Charlotte City Council approved an $8 million contribution to the ballpark by a 7-4 vote Monday, the Charlotte Observer reported. Of the contribution, $7.25 million will come from motel and hotel tax revenues.

The total cost of the stadium is estimated at $54 million.

The council also agreed to lease the land for the stadium, estimated to be worth $20-$24 million, for $1 a year.

The Knights have played at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, S.C., for 20 years. The new stadium will open for the 2014 season, with construction starting in October. The team plans to host events at the stadium year-round.

The Charlotte Business Journal reported that the Knights project season-long attendance to be 600,000 in the new stadium, about double the attendance in their current park. The Knights rank last in attendance in the 14-team International League.

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