John Angelos: Orioles Not Moving

The Baltimore Orioles, currently in the midst of negotiating a renewal of their lease of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, are not going anywhere.

"As long as Fort McHenry is watching over the harbor, the Orioles will be in Baltimore," said John Angelos, the team's executive vice president and chief operating officer, at a downtown luncheon sponsored by Visit Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium.

At a luncheon downtown today, O’s VP John Angelos was asked about the future of the O’s in Baltimore. His answer: “As long as Ft. McHenry is watching over the harbor the Orioles will be in Baltimore.” That is going on the record with a commitment. pic.twitter.com/gfZyTWafon — Gerry Sandusky (@GerrySandusky) September 26, 2019

In 1992, the Orioles entered into a 30-year lease with the Maryland Stadium Authority. The lease gives the Orioles one five-year renewal option. Dwindling attendance and reports that majority owner Peter Angelos was in failing health sparked rumors that the team could be up for sale, or even relocation. The Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck, a WBAL contributor, reported for the paper in August that the rumors are without merit.

Complicating any theoretical move is the Orioles' majority stake in MASN, which broadcasts Orioles and Washington Nationals games. The Orioles and MASN remain embroiled in a dispute with the Nationals over the negotiation of broadcasting rights fees owed under the terms of the deal that averted a legal battle between Peter Angelos and Major League Baseball. The Nationals are a minority owner of MASN.

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WBAL-TV 11 sports director Gerry Sandusky contributed to this report.