Legal Issues May Derail Yawkey Way Red Sox Deal

The private food court that operates on Yawkey Way on game days is made possible by a special deal between the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Red Sox. That deal is up for renewal this year, and despite interest from both parties in its renewal, could be derailed by legal issues, according to the Boston Globe. 

The BRA and the Red Sox had previously agreed to a 10-year, $165,000 per year agreement in 2003 that lasted until the end of the season in 2013 both for the Yawkey Way food court and the air space above Landsdowne Street for the Green Monster seating section. Tied to the local consumer price index, that price is now $210K a year.

According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox gross more than $2 million in concession sales, and $3.9 million from Green Monster seats. 

However, officials from the Inspector General's office, a new license should require a competitive bid process via the city, not through the BRA. Former inspector general Gregory W. Sullivan wrote in a letter last year that the deal could not be renegotiated, extended or renewed under existing state law. 

According to the Globe, despite the legal warnings, the BRA plans to renew its contract with the Red Sox organization this year. 

Do you think the contract is fair to residents of Boston? Tell us in the comments. 

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