Billings Mustangs Lease On Hold

The Billings City Council wants to wait a couple weeks until it decides on a 10-year lease with the Billings Mustangs.  At issue is the city’s share of naming rights for Dehler Park, which cannot be renamed until 2032.  The proposed lease is for 10 years and can be renewed in 2026.  The vote to delay action on the proposal until Dec. 12 was 8-1, with Councilman Ryan Sullivan opposed.  

Under the current proposed lease, the city would receive 15 percent of naming rights, with the owners of the Mustangs– or Main Street Baseball– receiving the rest.  After discussing the matter at length, council members agreed they didn’t know enough about how other ball clubs share naming rights revenue with the communities they play in.  City Administrator Tina Volek said she will research the topic for the December meeting.  The club wanted a decision before the winter meetings begin Dec. 5.