Everett Stadium Investigation
wrote AquaSox PDL President Charles Volpe
to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and staff.
Blackmail the city council and the legislature too’
From the song ‘No Frogs Downtown Blues’
The “warning” letter was from Major League Baseball Representative Chris Brumm, the MLB Senior Vice President & Head Counsel from the Corporate and Finance of the Office of the Commissioner.
Peter Woodfork, MLB Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations & Development, numerous other senior MLB Representatives were included as well as Justin Toole of the Seattle Mariners.
In a Championship Game on September 13, 2025 (above photo), the Everett Washington Aquasox played the Eugene Oregon Emeralds.
Eugene Oregon voters rejected a $15 million bond measure for a new stadium.
Naming rights for Everett Memorial Stadium (named for WW II veterns and now named Funko Field) come up again in 2027. The Mayor’s ‘team’ (staff) said,
Everything’s for sale in a new stadium.”
The Everett Stadium Investigation includes something called
“Project Frog Pond – Timeline and Responsibilities.”
Project Frog Pond was sent to Mayor Cassie Franklin of Everett, Washington,
from Major League Baseball AquaSox PDL (Player Development League) President Charles Volpe.
Index Links – Downloads – John Stanton Mariners – Cassie Franklin Mayor Everett – Scott Pattison Mayor’s Special Projects Manager – Donald Schwab Everett Council President – Timothy J. Leiweke Oak View Group – Ben Franz SOJ – Naming Rights – Decay Multiplier – REET Taxes – Capital Depreciation Taxes – Youth Activity Facility Account – PFD Angel of the Winds Arena Taxes – Federal Taxes – Everett Herald and Media – Aquasox Out of Town and Good Riddance!! – The Soul of Baseball – Political Corruption Gambling Professional Cheating – Super Bowl Sunday – Stadium Taxes And Economic Research – Community Attributes Inc. – Political Maneuvers and Candidates
****
A global marketing plan – Everett is a tiny piece of it.
President of the United States.
Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke was recently indicted for conspiracy to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena. Oak View Group Manages the Everett Public Facilities District (PFD) multi-purpose arena – – Angel of the Winds.
Oak View Group, the operator of the Climate Pledge Arena, was also investigated by the Washington State Attorney General’s office and ordered to pay a settlement of over $477,000 for charging undisclosed fees to customers.
On July 18, 2025, Shiels Obletz Johnsen (SOJ) contacted the City of Everett seeking legal, revenue, and bond information from the Everett Public Facilities District (Oak View Group). Details follow.
City of Everett officials have been in direct contact with Major League Baseball.
Public Records Requests are revealing more and more about these relationships.
Source MyMLTNews Letter to the editor: It’s tiny Everett vs. global Major League Baseball 7-12-20251
Source United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division. Press Release 7-9-2025 2
Source Washington State Attorney General Press Release 9-20-20243
Source Cascade PBS,”Climate Pledge Arena to pay over $477K to settle hidden fees case” 9-20-20244
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(see – “Project Frog Pond – Timeline and Responsibilities”)
and the way Aquasox ownership and the government operate
without public oversight.
Index Links – Downloads – John Stanton Mariners – Cassie Franklin Mayor Everett – Scott Pattison Mayor’s Special Projects Manager – Donald Schwab Everett Council President – Timothy J. Leiweke Oak View Group – Ben Franz SOJ – Naming Rights – Decay Multiplier – REET Taxes – Capital Depreciation Taxes –Youth Activity Facility Account – PFD Angel of the Winds Arena Taxes – Federal Taxes – Everett Herald and Media – Aquasox Out of Town and Good Riddance!! – The Soul of Baseball – Political Corruption Gambling Professional Cheating – Super Bowl Sunday – Stadium Taxes And Economic Research – Community Attributes Inc. – Political Maneuvers and Candidates
1-26-2024 2:43pm
Letter
From: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@ gmail.com
To: Cassie Franklin Dan Eernissee
Cc: Pat Filippone
“Mayor Cassie and Dan,
As discussed with Dan on Tuesday, attached is the “warning” letter we received from MLB. This was unexpected, and we have until September 30 to respond.
We’re happy to discuss with you at any time, and hopefully our meeting on the 23rd lays the groundwork and timeline for us to respond appropriately to them.
Thanks,
Chad“
From: Baldino, Kayla kayla.baldino@mlb.com
Date: Wed, Jan 24, 2024 at 11:05 AM
Subject: MLB PDL Compliance Plan
To: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@ gmail.com
Cc: Brumm, Chris chris.brumm@ mlb.com, Sword, Morgan morgan.sword@ mlb.com, Woodfork, Peter peter.woodfork@ mlb.com, Seymour, Fred fred.seymour@ mlb.com, LaCassa, Mike mike.lacassa@ mlb.com, Meginniss, Briana Briana.Meginniss@ mlb.com, Warren, Sabrina sabrina.warren@ mlb.com,
Justin Toole [Seattle Mariners] jtoole@ mariners.com
On behalf of Chris Brumm, please see the attached letter.
Best regards,
Kayla Baldino
Administrative Assistant, Legal
1271 Avenue of the Americas | New York, NY 10020
kayla.baldino@mlb.com
Download Major League Baseball Everett AquaSox Facilities Follow Up Letter
Source Major League Baseball
Source City of Everett Public Records Request [EXTERNAL] Fwd: MLB PDL Facility Standards Compliance – Deferral Follow Up (Everett Aqua Sox) 5
Cities are held hostage.
Organizations that hold other organizations hostage are often called terrorists.
Is Major League Baseball an economic terrorist?
The Frog Pond PR strategy impacts the Everett Herald and the Carpenter Media Group – – “assemble public relations (PR) strategy” and “Launch PR initiative about Project Frog Pond.”
Carpenter Media Group is the 4th largest news publisher in the United States, owning over 165 publications nationwide. In the Pacific Northwest, they own over 70 local papers such as the Redmond (Ore.) Spokesman, The (Bend, Ore.) Bulletin and The Everett (Wash.) Herald.
Carpenter Media Group’s lofty journalistic standards have little to do with the continued ownership of a newspaper and existance of media outlets.
The Everett Herald was part of the Frog Pond “public relations strategy” and “PR initiative.” The newspaper functioned as a marketing arm for Major League Baseball.
The Everett Herald promoted the new stadium in downtown Everett and dutifully and repeatedly reported low stadium cost “targets” instead of estimates, consciously manipulating the readership.
What the Everett Herald publishes is determined by profitability, stockholder return, and the threat of the newspaper’s existance.
The continued existance of the Everett Herald is determined by the Carpenter Media Group – John Carr, Oregon Washington Executive and it boils down to the money (see John Carr email).
President & Group Publisher – Oregon & North Carolina, 11-15-25
Source email from John Carr – Carpenter Media Group Senior Vice President; 11-15-2025.6
Source The Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild “Who is Carpenter Media Group? Protect your Local Newspaper from Corporate Greed.” Save PNW Local News”7
On April 22, 2022, “Project Frog Pond,” was sent by Charlton Volpe, AquaSox President on the Player Development League (PDL) License,
to Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, and cc’d to prominent City of Everett and AquaSox officials.
The “Project Frog Pond” attachment from Charlton Volpe, was CC’d to Pat Filippone, President of the Aquasox and President of 7th Inning Stretch, LLC., and Thomas Volpe, principal owner, 7th Inning Stretch, LLC.
April 22, 2022
Letter
From: Charlton Volpe chadvolpe@ gmail.com
To: Cassie Franklin; Nick Harper; Lori Cummengs; Dan Eernissee
CC: thomas volpe; Pat Filippone
“Mayor Cassie,
I hope all is well with you.
As we discussed during our meeting, please find attached a DRAFT of a timeline and responsibilities document that lays out the next few months for what we are calling “Project Frog Pond”. Please let us know if you or anyone on your team have any comments, questions or additions, and we obviously want to make sure this aligns with how you see the project progressing and the necessary community and political steps.
We are happy to have a call/videoconference to discuss live if that would be easier.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team as we pursue this project for the city of Everett.
Thank you,
Chad“
Source City of Everett Public Records Request – EverettAquaSoxDRAFTofTimelineandResponsibilities.eml8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Project Frog Pond” appeared in an email on April 22, 2022 saying:
“AquaSox to conduct meetings” with select “Council members as chosen by Mayor’s Office”
Part of their monthly “Project Frog Pond” schedule appeared as follows:
April 2022
Community Attributes commences economic impact analysis
Mayor’s Office
May 2022
AquaSox ownership to meet with 2-4 City Council members
(as chosen by Mayor’s Office) Mayor’s Office to facilitate introductions;
AquaSox to conduct meetings
Community Attributes continues economic impact analysis; AquaSox provide information/data as needed
Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
Begin drafting a project working document/presentation which outlines the entire multi-purpose family entertainment venue project to be used in meeting with relevant parties in the community
AquaSox
June 2022
AquaSox ownership to meet with remaining City Council members and other opinion leaders in the community
AquaSox with help/intros from Mayor’s Office
Community Attributes finalizes economic impact analysis
Mayor’s Office
Assemble public relations (PR) strategy
AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s Office
Discuss with Seattle Mariners on specifically how/when to get them involved
as Project Frog Pond becomes public (e.g. letters, visits, etc.)
AquaSox
July 2022
Launch PR initiative about Project Frog Pond
AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
Present specific Project Frog Pond proposal to City Council for initial review and approval
AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s Office
In ” response to… (an)… email regarding the Stadium Rebate Bill,”
The City of Everett, Washington, Economic Development Director wrote,“… the proposed legislation will not apply in Everett…..”
“…you are incorrect
when you say the Stadium Rebate Bill
… will not apply in Everett.”
was the reply.
newly constructed or majorly renovated professional sports stadiums
to the tune of $3.2 billion federal taxpayer dollars.”
“That amounts to $111,000 dollars for the City of Everett,
$792,000 dollars for the Second Congressional District,
and $7.8 million dollars for the State of Washington per year.”*
The seemingly anxious Economic Development Director
never replied to the federal government subsidy email.
On June 11, 2025, Ben Franz of Shiels Obletz Johnsen (SOJ) made a presentation to the Everett City Council:
“And we’re pleased to bring forward a recommendation to you tonight, to select public facilities group PFG.
They’ve been doing what’s known as 6320 financing.
Although, this will be slightly different because these will not be tax-exempt bonds.”9
Source email to Dan Eernissee, Everett Economic Development Director 4-7-202510
Ben Franz of SOJ sites the City of Redmond as an example of a public entity using 63-20 financing.This is simply not true. The City of Redmond used Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) bonds in 2013 and 2021.
According to the Deputy Finance Director, the City of Redmond “.. does not currently use 63-20 financing. In the past, a city-related nonprofit (the Redmond Public Corporation), used a 63-20-type structure to issue LTGO bonds in 2013. In 2021, LTGO debt was issued to advance refund and defease a portion of the 2013 bonds, which were originally used to construct City Hall, a parking garage, and other enhancements to the City campus. While those bonds remain outstanding, the city is not using the 63-20 financing method for new debt.”
The entire Ben Franz SOJ presentation is questionable.
What Ben Franz fails to highlight is that the 63-20 method is not likely to be used. 11
PFG 6320 financing refers to using the IRS Revenue Ruling 63-20 structure, .12 the foundation of PFG Seattle’s 6320 financing is using tax-exempt debt (bonds), 13 and 6320 financing may require lease appoveal.14
The SOJ statement “..financing will not be tax-exempt bonds…” is highly misleading.
It appears the SOJ presentation is to sway political opnions rather than present viable financing options.
This is NOT a promising option to explore through SOJ since it may involve the City of Everett with the recently investigated and fined Oak View Group.
On July 18th 2024, Ben Franz of SOJ referenced the Oak View Group in an email sent to City of Everett staff member Scott Pattison as follows:
“If the PFD were to expand would that mean additional potential revenue and potential increased bonding capacity? If so, what are potential and/or reasonable ranges that might be considered?”
SOJ received a copy of a a “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” on August 9, 2024 from City of Everett staff member Scott Pattison.
Ten months later, SOJ did not present revenue forcasts at the June 11, 2025 Council meeting and indicated a they had started proformas for the facility
A Councilmember asked:
“Okay so that proforma, will you share that with the council?”
“Yes,” said Ben Franz/SOJ.
“Okay. When?” replied Councilmember Touhy. “I’ve been waiting for that for a long time. Know when? We don’t know when?”
SOJ is exploring “potential increased bonding” capacity with the Everett Public Facilities District and Angel of the Winds, managed by the Oak View Group.
It seems a conflict of interest that City of Everett staff member Scott Pattison is now also a PFD Boardmember.
In 2025, Oak View Group agreed to pay $477,917 in penalties and refunds for charging hidden fees as a result of an investegation by the Washington State Attorney General.Also in 2025, the CEO of Oak View Group was indited by the US Department of Justice.
Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group (OVG), was recently charged with orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university – US Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.
Oak View Group manages Angel of the Winds in Everett, Washington, and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Oak View Group provides a variety of services to live entertainment venues nationwide.
“A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group (OVG)…”
“The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that, from approximately February 2018 through at least June 2024, Leiweke conspired with the Chief Executive Officer of a competitor to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena that was to be located on the campus of a public university …”
“Note: The defendant in this case, Timothy J. Leiweke, received a pardon from the President of the United States for the offenses alleged in the indictment described in the press release above.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/live-entertainment-ceo-indicted-orchestrating-conspiracy-rig-bidding-process-public
https://komonews.com/news/local/ceo-of-oak-view-group-indicted-for-alleged-bid-rigging-in-texas-university-arena-project
Oak View Group, the operator of the Climate Pledge Arena, was investigated by the Washington State Attorney General’s office and ordered to pay a settlement of over $477,000 for charging undisclosed fees to customers.
https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/briefs/2024/09/climate-pledge-arena-pay-over-477k-settle-hidden-fees-case/#
https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/climate-pledge-arena-pay-477k-penalties-refunds-result-ag-ferguson-s-hidden-fee
Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group, resigned as CEO and continues as Vice Chairman of Oak View Group’s Board of Directors. It is unknown how active he is in current management of Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett or if he was active in 2024.
https://www.oakviewgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/OAK-VIEW-GROUP-ANNOUNCES-CEO-TRANSITION.pdf
Source Everett Public Facitities District Public Records Request email Pattison Everett to Murphy, Swanson Everett PFD, Stacy Lewis of Pacifica Law, CC Franz SOJ Revenue Model 8-9-2024
Source Everett Public Facitities District Public Records Request DRAFT CITY ONLY_Everett OMF_Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model_72224 (version 2) .xlsx
up front capital contribution
is on the Ben Franz SOJ presentation screen.
The City of Everett needs short term financing because, according to three councilmembers, “After the measures we’ve proposed for a balanced 2026 budget, our structural deficit problem shows the city facing in 2027 a deficit at this time of some $7 million.“15 The City of Everett is short on cash, especially for stadium construction.
SOJ is encouraging the City of Everett to borrow money to make a down payment on a new stadium so they can go further into debt with taxable bonds to pay for the stadium . That doesn’t make any sense at all.It’s like borrowing on your credit card to pay off your credit card.
The June 11, 2025 City Council Agenda indicates: “If it is decided to proceed with the 63-20 method, certain agreements with PFG, such as a financing lease, will be brought to the City Council for approval.” 11
What’s not on the agenda is that the negotiating posture of the MLB/Aquasox and negotiating a financing lease may be difficult, especially with naming rights involved.
Previously, the Everett School District had some difficulty negotiating a financing lease.Aquasox President Pat Filippone sought to negotiate a Confidentiality & Non Disclosure Agreement (Major League Baseball and PDL Facility Standards).
The agreement proposed the Everett School District agree to have the governing law and jurisdiction be the State of New York and not the State if Washington.
Conveniently for the Aquasox, Major League Baseball’s (MLB) main headquarters are located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, specifically at 1271 Avenue of the Americas.
The Aquasox also wanted the Everett School District to atypically agree to have
***arbitration to resolve disputes over an agreement.
***indemnification clauses signed.
***Having the School District agree to attorney’s fees clauses.
Source Everett School District
Ben Franz continues by indicating that other public entities “….entered into a private partnership where the private partner delivers the facility for you. Takes 100% of the risk for the funding actually issues the debt takes 100% of the risk for delivery of the facility itself. And when it’s completed, you would be in a position to lease that facility back.”
What Ben Franz fails to mention in his presentation is that 6320 as presented is highly unlikely, the City of Everett will take on 100% of the risk when the project is completed, and the City of Everett will have to finance and pay for the facility.
Future long-term bonds issued by the City of Everett to fund the stadium will almost certainly be issued as long term tax exempt bonds,
possibly Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) bonds as were used in the City of Redmond.
Source Angel of the Winds/Oak View Group Everett PFD Public Record Request- Gmail Fwd_ Sites and Revenue5.pdf
Source Angel of the Winds/Oak View Group Everett PFD Public Record Request DRAFT CITY ONLY_Everett OMF_Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model_72224 (version 2).xlsx
Youth Activity Facility Account
Unable to just say NO to using money from the Department of Commerce Youth Activity Account, the Everett City Council voted to endorse using Youth Activity Account money for the construction of a new billionaire-benefitting Major League Baseball/Aquasox downtown multi-purpose baseball stadium in Everett, Washington – the Outdoor Event Center.
On December 10, 2025, the Everett City Council passed an embellished politically self serving resolution – – “A Resolution Identifying Priorities for Development of the Outdoor Event Center.” ft.a,b
The history of the funds started with the Seahawks Stadium and Paul Allen. In 1997, Paul Allen deposited an initial $10 million to kick-start an account dedicated to youth athletic fields. The State Legislature robbed the account in 2023.
The Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC asked lawmakers not to raid the Youth Athletic Facility account money.
Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders FC
Letter to the Senate Ways and Means Committee ft.d
The Seattle Times article “WA looks to tap youth athletic funds for minor league stadium upgrades” appeared April 21, 2023 and indicated millions of dollars were earmarked for RENOVATIONS at minor league baseball stadiums across the state. Earmarks authorized RENOVATIONS at the Everett School District: Everett Memorial Stadium or Funko Field. The law did not include “New Stadiums” until the law was changed in 2024.ft.c
This appears to still be the case.
The bill was amended unanimously in the Washington State House and Senate so money originally intended for RENOVATIONS and the Everett School District was reallocated to a proposed NEW Major League Baseball Stadium in Everett, Washington.
Had the Everett City Council been rational enough to just say NO to taking money from kids and giving it to baseball professionals, the $7.4 million could have been used to fund 25 parks throughout the State of Washington.ft.f
The current Department of Commerce Working Papers indicate the City of Everett is a private-non profit organization. The Department of Commerce Working Papers do not indicate that the City of Everett has any private sector organizations as partners.ft.g 1 This suggests that the City of Everett does not have a private sector investment partner.
The Department of Commerce Working Papers do not confirm the original Department of Enterprise Servises design build application which indicates:
“The City of Everett is working with Snohomish County and AquaSox ownership to develop a project financing plan and secure the remaining funding needed from public and private sources.”ft.g2
Department of Enterprise Servises design build application also indicates: “We plan to apply for additional grant program funds in the next legislative session.”
The City of Everett can still just say NO.
The contract has not been fully executed by the Washington State Department of Commerce and the City of Everett could still just say NO to the funding. and find other resources of funding as was indicated in their original Design Build application.ft.h1, h2
The question for the Everett City Council was simple.
Take money from kids and give it to Major League Baseball.
Or take money from Major League Baseball and give it back to the kids.
The Everett City Council voted unanimously to take money from kids and give it to Major League Baseball.
Democracy works when people participate.
Say something.
Citizens can file complaints with the State of Washington (https://wa.gov/report-suspected-fraud), at the Department of Commerce (nicole.lutomski@commerce), at the Office of the Washington State Attorney General, (Https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx) and using the judicial system. Citizens can utilize the role of the courts.
Citizens can also contact the Everett City Council and express their opnion Email: council@everettwa.gov Phone: 425.257.8703
Sources:
ft.a). email to Everett City Council 12-9-2025 Stop using parks money for a New Professional Sports Stadium, and return it to the Recreation and Conservation Office.
“Discuss with Seattle Mariners on specifically
how/when to get them involved as Project Frog Pond becomes public (e.g. letters, visits, etc.)”
On September 26, 2022, John W. Stanton,
chairman of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club,
publicized a letter supporting a “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study by Snohomish County and the City of Everett and endorsed wealthy Key Principal Thomas Volpe of the 7th Inning Stretch, LLC.
“The Seattle Mariners write today to add our voice in support
of the request before you from the Everett AquaSox
and the Volpe family ownership group to investigate the feasibility
of a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium in the City of Everett.“
Download John Stanton September 26, 2022 letter to the Everett City
Council and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin supporting “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study.
Download John Stanton September 26, 2022 letter to the Snohomish County
Council and the Snohomish County Executive Gerald Somers supporting “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study.
Download On September 28, 2022, the Snohomish County and the City
of Everett Joint Resolution 22056 was signed, supporting “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study.
John Stanton sending letters to the Everett City Council, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, the Snohomish County Council, and the Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, two days before they all signed a resolution supporting an outdoor multipurpose stadium that creates the strongest possible economic multiplier impact looks like “necessary community and political steps” laid out in Project Frog Plan.
In Snohomish County, an economic multiplier is an abstract unproven theory that billionaires use to fool the public and increase their wealth and politicians use to promise economic benefits to constituents, secure loyalty and votes, and get re-elected and stay in office.
joint resolution
Sounds like Bull….frog (click)
and looks like it’s all a part of
Project Frog Pond
The multiplier is incorrectly formulated and fundamentally flawed,
according to Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences winner, Milton Friedman.
The multiplier (click) ignores how governments finance spending
by taxation or debt issues.
The growth of debt becomes a powerful incentive for the government
to raise taxes or inflate the currency to pay it off, thus lowering the purchasing power of each dollar that workers earn.
Source City of Everett Public Records Request, Snohomish County Public Records Request, John Stanton September 26, 2022 Letters17
Source Washington State Office of Financial Management Letter18
Source Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There’s something fishy about the MLB and Mayor Franklin, who, on January 07, 2021, contacted Dr. Saltzman, Superintendent of the Everett Public School District as a special favor to Chris Mefford, President & CEO of Community Attributes Inc. regarding Garry Clark, a candidate for CEO of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County.
Community Attributes Inc. did the stadium study for the Mariners, the Aquasox, and the City of Everett in 2022. The highly bias, pro Major League Baseball billionaire study was critiqued by Jonathan S Shapiro at the June 11, 2025 Everett City Council meeting and contradicted dozens of other economic stadium studies (click link) done over the past three decades.
Source City of Everett FWGarryClarkandMayorFranklincontactinto.eml 20
It’s total nonsense to rely on the the Community Attributes Inc study done in 2022 for financial guidence.
Tariffs (elasticities) changed the economy. The study is not valid or reliable.
In July, 2025, the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) indicated, ” OFM does not currently have an I-O model that incorporates elasticities for substate regional impact analysis.”
Or in plain talk, the model used by Community Attributes doesn’t work.
It seems a lot fishy that the Community Attributes Inc. study is still being used and was mentioned multiple times as an important part of “Project Frog Pond.”
Partially filled stands at the Aquasox-Emeralds Championship Game September 13, 2025.
Source The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM)21
There’s also something fishy about an Everett AquaSox Owner Pat Filippone, the Everett AquaSox General Manager Danny Tetzlaff, and Charlton Volpe, AquaSox PDL License President all congratulating the Mayor and City of Everett staff including, Dan Eernissee and Scott Pattison the Mayor’s Special Projects Manager.—–Original Message—–
From: Chad Volpe
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:16 PM
To: Cassie Franklin
Cc: Dan Eernissee
Subject: Thank you!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Cassie,
I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team after last nights successful vote! We sincerely appreciate all that you have done and your support for this project from day one. It has been great working with you, Dan, Scott and everyone else, and we look forward to continuing that momentum next year and getting this done. In the meantime, please let us know if there’s anything else we can do or how we can be helpful.
Have a very Happy Holidays!
Thanks,
Chad
Source City of Everett Public Records Request – REThankyou.eml 22
It’s mystifying because it took place one day after the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Downtown Project was chosen over Everett School District owned Funko Field Renovation in the DEIS at an additional cost to taxpayers of $80 to $100 million or more.
There’s something very fishy here.
In September, 2022, Everett Council President Donald Schwab indicated;
“More inclusive facilities foster a better working environment for the players and staff. Unfortunately Funko Field doesn’t fit the bill.”
It appears an outdoor multipurpose stadium was a foregone conclusion in 2022 and the Draft Enviromental Impact Statement was a sham.
No cost estimates were included in the Draft Enviromental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the new Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Downtown Stadium.
The Everett School District owns Funko Field. DEIS cost estimates were $29.4 to $39.3 million to refurbish the existing Everett School District Stadium.
The School District Funko Field renovation cost estimates were over $70 million less than building a New Downtown Stadium cost estimates.
Everett School District Stadium (Funko) costs were estimated at $66.6 million in the Design Build application.
New Downtown Stadium costs were estimated at $137.9 million in the Design Build application.
The School District Funko Field renovation cost estimates were over $40 million less than the New Downtown Stadium cost estimates in the Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee Report.
The Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee estimate: – Funko $76 million
The Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee estimate: – Downtown Stadium $117.5 million
Everett Council President Donald Schwab the
Mayor’s Office Special Projects Manager Scott Pattison were both asked on numerous occations.
Did cost estimates for the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Downtown Project exist during the DEIS period?
Note: A “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” for the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Downtown Project existed prior to the September 5, 2024 issue date of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Were cost estimates for the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Downtown Project withheld from the DEIS?
Why were there NO cost estimates in the DEIS for Alternative 2: Downtown Site Action Alternative Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Downtown Project?
Local grass roots media called for transparency, a re-evaluation of Refurbushing Funko Field, and noted that Refurbushing Funko was not given adequate consideration.
The resolution passed in 2022 recommended “a NEW outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study and the President of the Council indicated “Funko Field wpm’t fit the bill.”
The alternative of studying a refurbushed Everett Memorial Stadium (Funko) was never endorsed in a City of Everett Shonomish County resolution as a viable option.
The DEIS process was a sham.
In June, 2025, Scott peterson said he was held to a “code of silence” but according to the Department of Ecology, there is “no code of scilence.”(see Scott Pattison and Department of Ecology emails below)
See email from to Donald Schwab Everett Council President, Project Frog Pond Re $29,431,281 $39,341,332 $137,888,124 $117,500,000 – 8-27-2025 10-13-20225
Download email from to Donald Schwab Everett Council President, Project Frog Pond Re $29,431,281 $39,341,332 $137,888,124 $117,500,000 – 8-27-2025 10-13-20225
Download email to Scott Pattison Everett Mayor’s Office Special Projects Manager 9-8-2025 Reset the Clock on Public Comment
Download email from Meg Bommarito Dept of Ecology NW Regional DIrector 8-28-2025 SEPA Strict Code of Silence RE SEPA 2022404902 EIS Everett Outdoor Stadium
Source The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services City of Everett Design Build application page 23
Source Everett Herald, “City, county studying new outdoor stadium for Everett AquaSox,” September 28, 202224
Source Everett Council President Donald Schwab email25
Money intended for parks and children is being used to subsidize billionaire Major League Baseball owners and Wealthy Minor League Baseball owners.
State funds are being taken from the Washington State Department of Commerce Youth Activity Account and presented by SOJ to the council as “State Contributions” .
The funds come from statewide taxes.
State authorized funds are also being used to finance upfront “design build” costs for the new downtown stadium.
Specifically, state funds are being taken from the Washington State Department of Commerce Youth Activity Account and presented by SOJ to the council as “State Contributions” .
In short, money intended for parks and children is being used to subsidize billionaire Major League Baseball owners and Wealthy Minor League Baseball owners.
These funds may have been inappropriately obtained from the Department of Commerce and complaints are in process with Washington State Public Disclosure Commission and the Office of the Attorney General.
Recently passed HB 1109 gives the Everett Public Facilities District
additional power to impose a use tax of up to 0.033 percent to finance
regional centers and a tax of rate up to 0.037 percent should losses be
incurred over 5% due to streamlined sales tax destination sourcing.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1109&Initiative=false&Year=2025
Source Washington State Legislature
“What is the maximum amount of tax the Everett Public Facilities District could collect under HB 1109?” is one way to address the Ben Franz – Shiels Obletz Johnsen (SOJ) “potential revenue” question posed to the Everett Public Facilities District on July 18, 2025 regarding “…new or renewed baseball stadium sports facilities in Everett……”
The Everett Public Facilities District has an increased tax revenue capacity because of HB 1109.
Ironoically, HB 1109 was sponsored by State House Representative Julio Cortes and State House Representative Strom Peterson.
Representative Peterson works for Snohomish County as a member of the Snohomish County Council.
Representative Cortes is an Everett Public Facilities District Board Member.
The Everett Public Facilities District, a taxing authority in HB 1109, owns Angel of the Winds Arena.
Oak View Group, a professional sports and commercial real estate company manages, both the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett and Climate the Pledge Arena in Seattle.
SOJ worked with the Oak View Group on the Climate Pledge Arena project.
The Oak View Group was indited by the US Department of Justice and fined by the Washington State Attorney General and in 2025.
Representative Cortes also works for the City of Everett as a staff member listed as Economic Development & Marketing and as the City of Everett liason to the Everett Public Facilities District.
Although he sponsored HB 1109, State House Representative Mike Volz of Spokane voted against the bill – HB 1109.
The Everett Public Facilities District may have answered the Ben Franz/SOJ “potential revenue” question regarding “…new or renewed baseball stadium sports facilities in Everett……”, but the Everett Public Facilities District did not indicate publically how large the tax revenue increase from HB 1109 could be.
Source email Everett Public Facilities District member Download There’s something perplexing about Mayor Cassie Franklin writing in June, 2025, that she met with a Major League Baseball and then the Public Records Request City Clerk indicated in October, 2025 :
“Per our Economic Development department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett but worked with the independent third-party company retained by the City of Everett, SOJ.”26
In 2024, Mayor Franklin received a Ticketmaster email from Peter Woodfork, Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations & Development in an email titled, “Accepted: Teams Meet with Peter Woodfork”. 27
In January 2025, Charlton Volpe, AquaSox PDL License President, was faciliting additional “update on our project” meetings between Peter Woodfork, Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations & Development, and Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, Washington. Charlton. Volpe indicated:
“Mayor Franklin, Peter,
I know you two have met before and spoken a few times, but I wanted to send an email re-connecting everyone.
Peter – as I mentioned, the Mayor would like the chance to give you an update on our project, and I will let the two of you find a day/time that works.
Thanks,
Chad”
“Additionally,” wrote mayor Franklin on June 10, 2025, ” I have had direct in person and via zoom meetings and conversations with Major League Baseball where MLB representatives specifically shared that if our stadium does not become compliant, the team will be pulled.
Best regards,
Mayor Cassie Franklin”
The extent to which Project Forg Pond was discussed in those meetings requires additional Public Record Requests and investigations to determine if anti-trust and other violations took place.
Download email from Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin 6-10-2025
Source Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law – “Back to the Bullpen: Minor League Teams Settle with MLB Over Latest Challenge to Baseball’s Historic Antitrust Exemption”29
Source The Regulatory Review University of Pennsylvania “Baseball’s Antitrust Exemption”30
Source Press Release Senator Ted Cruz -Sens. Cruz, Lee, Hawley, Rubio, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Subject MLB to Antitrust Laws 31
Source email from Mayor Cassie Franklin 6-10-202532
Taxes and Politics
Source City of Everett Council Meeting, June 11, 2025 at 1:08:37 – Ben Franz of SOJ33
Taxes are MANDATORY contributions levied by a government entity on individuals and corporations. The Snohomish County Treasurer’s Office collects both localREET 1 and REET 2 taxes (MANDATORY contributions).
According to Everett Herald Reporter William Getchke, a county staffer and county council member Jared Mead both confirmed to him “… that the $5 million the county set aside for the stadium project was set to come from Snohomish County REET 2 dollars, not state funds.” 34
Download email from William Geschke General Assignment Reporter Everett Herald 12 18 2025Source email from William Geschke General Assignment Reporter Everett Herald Reporter 12-18-2535
According to Snohomish Councilmember Megan Dunn, “The county did not advocate for those funds, we did not lobby for them or include them in our legislative priorities….There is no money allocated in either 2025 or 2026 for the Everett Stadium in the Snohomish County Budget. What was put in was essentially a placeholder in the CIP for future years….The source of these dollars is REET 1 Funds, Fund 191.”36
Download email from Megan Dunn Snohomish County Council RE Snohomish County involvement in the proposed new downtown baseball stadium in Everett 6-13-2025Source email from Snohomish County Council Member Megan Dunn 6-13-202537
Snohomish County“Contributions” on the chart shown above by Ben Franz of SQL, is misleading.
Real estate excise taxes- (REET 1 and REET 2) are misleadingly reported as Snohomish County “Contributions” by Ben Franz of SOJ. The “Contributions” are actually State authorized taxes.Snohomish County staff that collect the excise tax do not usually have involvement in how that excise tax is later accounted for, distributed or spent.
Download email from Julie Hill Dept of Revenue Lead Examiner Real Estate Excise Tax 1-14-2026 What locations in Snohomish County pay Real Estate Excise Taxes REET 1, REET 2 for the New Downtown Stadium in Everett, Washington~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Political Maneuvers and Candidates – Under constructionPolitical Maneuvers and Candidates
“Given that stadium subsidies fail cost-benefit analyses, why do state and local policymakers persist in offering substantial tax-financed subsidies to professional sports teams? The answer lies in the basic political motivation to prioritize re-election above other interests, even when those interests are aligned with good governance and sound tax policy.
Sports stadium subsidies are salient political gimmicks designed to appear as if politicians are providing tangible benefits to taxpayers. Elected officials also fear reprisal by voters if a team were to relocate. And recent moves, such as the NFL’s St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles in 2016, the San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles in 2017, and the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas in 2020, demonstrate the threat of relocation is real.”
In Everett, Washngton, some citizens advocate the “Kick The Aquasox Out of Town and Good Riddance!!” approach, citing decay multiiplier costs such as poitical corruption, professional gambling, and domestic violence associated with NFL football.
Tax Foundation
Taxpayers Shoulder a Heavy Burden for Sports Stadium Subsidies
Taxpayers Shoulder a Heavy Burden for Sports Stadium Subsidies
In the case of Everett, Washington, the entire Snohomish County Council, the Snohomish County Executive, and Everett City Council had years earlier endorsed studying a “New Outdoor Multi-Purpose Stadium.”
Joint Resolution No. 22-056 was approved on September 28, 2022.
The Everett City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. XXXX-25
(a.k.a.”We are Moral and The New Baseball Stadium is Good for the City of Everett Resolution) on December 10, 2025.
Six of the Everett City Council members had also signed the “New Outdoor Multi-Purpose Stadium” Joint Resolution No. 22-056 in 2022.
At the State Legislative level, legislation promoted Major League Baseball.
–HB 1109 passed 90-7, (a.k.a. “The Increase Public Facilities Taxes” Act)
–HB 1109 gave Public Facilities Districts – including the PFD that manages T-Moble Park and the Everett PFD, currently involved with the “New Outdoor Multi-Purpose Stadium” in Everett — the authority to increase taxes.
–The 2022 Senate Capital Budget Bill, on Page 396 – passed the Senate 44-0,
(a.k.a.”The Take Money From Parks And Kids And Give It To Major League Baseball” Bill)
–The 2022 Senate Capital Budget Bill Page 396, designed to meet demands from Major League Baseball, earmarked millions of dollars for renovations at Minor League Baseball Stadiums across the state.
–The Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5949 section 1035.
(a.k.a. “Who Tried To Take Money From The School District?”)
ESSB 5949 changed the wording of the bill from “School District: Everett Memorial,”
to “New Stadium” interpreted as money for the “New Outdoor Multi-Purpose Stadium.”
ESSB 5949 passed unanimously in both the Washington State House and the Washingon State Senate on March 29, 2024.
Opposition to the “New Outdoor Multi-Purpose Stadium” was not well publicized by the Everett Herald.
BIll Wheeler indicated:
“The idea that Everett taxpayers should even consider spending $100–$130 million to build a new downtown stadium — displacing residents and businesses through eminent domain — is completely detached from reality.
Major League Baseball doesn’t get to hold our city hostage. Option 2 is nothing more than a cash grab disguised as economic development, and the people of Everett shouldn’t be fooled. Let’s be clear: this is not about baseball. This is about special interests trying to raid public funds for private gain.
Refurbishing Funko Field is the common-sense solution. It costs less, preserves what we already have, keeps rent money flowing to our public schools instead of draining city coffers, and avoids displacing our neighbors.
I support keeping the AquaSox at Funko Field. I support maintaining local control over local resources. And I absolutely oppose handing over our city’s future to Major League Baseball or any outside corporate entity.
email from Bill Wheeler Candidate Everett City Council District ONE 5-14 2025 RE Baseball stadium questions ft.a
Bill Wheeler’s positions on the “new downtown stadium” were not published in the Everett Herald.
Mayoral candidate Rich Ryan indicated:
“I want to start off by saying, I’m not against sports. I’ve coached high school football, umpired Little League, and I understand the value of a good game. But I also recognize when a city loses sight of its priorities.
Currently, Everett is moving forward with a stadium project that could cost up to $200 million, for a team that doesn’t fill its current seats, in a city of just over 110,000 people. That’s nearly $2,000 for every man, woman, and child in Everett. And none of us were asked. There was no public vote, no community-wide discussion, just a green light from the City Council without meaningful public input. That’s not transparency; that’s a red flag.
Meanwhile, the city has cut funding for Parks and Recreation. The Early Learning Center, a lifeline for working families, is on the chopping block for a shortfall of just $300,000 (That’s a rounding error in the stadium budget). Mental health services remain chronically underfunded, even as the need in our city grows every day. I believe revitalizing the current stadium, would cost far less, preserve public trust, and keep the team paying rent to our library system, which owns the land. Most importantly, it means we don’t have to use eminent domain to displace residents or businesses. We can invest in what we already have, without forcing anyone out of their home or neighborhood.
This issue isn’t unique to Everett. Recognizing the broader implications, Congress has introduced the No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that bonds used to finance professional stadiums are not treated as tax-exempt bonds. The bill’s sponsors argue that wealthy sports franchise owners should not benefit from tax breaks intended for public infrastructure, especially when such subsidies have cost taxpayers an estimated $4.3 billion in lost federal revenue over the past 25 years We need to ask ourselves what kind of city we’re building. One where massive developments get pushed through without community input? Or one where we invest in people, in kids, families, and human dignity?” letter
email from Rich Ryan Candidate for Mayor of Everett 5-26-2025 Response to stadium build! ft.b
Rich Ryans positions on the “new downtown stadium” were not published in the Everett Herald.
According to the Everett Herald: Rich Ryan said the city needs to build a mental health facility and permanent housing shelter to support people on the street who need assistance.
“You keep asking how we’re going to afford it, but how can we afford not to do this stuff?” Ryan said.
Another mayoral candidate, Janice Green, indicated:
“As a candidate for Mayor, I believe Everett must always weigh major capital decisions carefully, ensuring that public investments align with long-term community benefit, fiscal responsibility, and local values. Like many residents, I want to see the AquaSox stay in Everett. They’re a part of our city’s history and an accessible source of family-friendly fun. At the same time, we must remain mindful of budget realities and prioritize public transparency as we assess the best path forward.
You have made a strong case for refurbishing the existing stadium, and I understand the desire to preserve public resources and protect existing partnerships with the Everett School District. As the city continues exploring its options, I believe the public deserves a clear, detailed comparison of costs, funding sources, and community impacts—including the potential effect on essential services like public safety, libraries, and infrastructure.
Should I be elected, I will ensure that any decision regarding the stadium is guided by community input, fiscal discipline, and a broader vision for inclusive economic growth.”
email from Janice Green Candidate for Everett Mayor 5-12-2025 RE Is Major League Baseball running the government? ft.c
The Everett Herald published:
Greene said the city should not spend money on a stadium project as ongoing federal cuts jeopardize social services nationwide. “Given the situation that we’re in right now and the ever-changing situation every day … I think that whole plan for that stadium needs to be rethought because of the systematic changes that are going to happen,” she said.
The Everett Herald did not publish “refurbishing the existing stadium” – Everett Memorial Stadium/Funko Field – as an alternative.
Everett Public Facilities Boardmember PFD board and mayoral Candidate Scott Murphy indicated:
“Thank you for sending me all of the background information and facts related to the stadium. I will review all of it carefully as it will certainly be helpful to me moving forward during this remaining few months of the campaign.
Rest assured, if I am elected, I will be doing a complete deep dive on the stadium, including costs, projections and ability to service the debt, etc., to come up with a game plan that makes sense for the people of Everett and Snohomish County. I do not understand how the city can continue to spend what is I believe so far is at least $7 million without a financial projection, at least at a high-level with certain assumptions plugged in.”
06-28-2025 Scott Murphy For Everett Mayor-Homelessness in Everett continues to increase despite reductions across the rest of the County ft.d1
“To my knowledge, there has been no pro forma financial projection provided to the public that shows whether or not the downtown baseball stadium will pencil out and be able to support the anticipated debt service that mayor Franklin has talked about publicly. She has mentioned issuing bonds for $50 million. I know from experience at Angel of the winds Arena what the debt service requirements are on an annual basis and that is based on interest rates that we locked in several years ago that were quite favorable. Those sorts of rates are no longer available so the debt service on the baseball stadium downtown would be substantially higher.”
9-15-2026 Reset the clock on the public comment.ft.d2
“Thanks for the note. I believe this information is critical to the decision-making as to whether this baseball stadium will pencil out or not, and be able to sustain the debt that undoubtedly is contemplated as part of the proceeds to finish the construction. That being said, this information has been requested already and the answer thus far from the mayor has been that “it is being worked on” and should be available later this year in late November or early December, coincidentally right after the election.
Until then, I will be surprised if we receive the request requested information. That said, good idea to officially ask and keep pushing.”
9-19-2025 Re: “… naming rights …. this is a construction subsidy in disguise.”ft.d3
The Everett Herald published:
Regarding the city’s stadium project, he said it lacked transparency because the city has not released a profit-and-loss statement to show the expenses and revenues of the proposed facility.
“I’m a huge AquaSox fan. I’m not opposed to what we’re doing, but we should get more transparency real quick, real soon, before we go spend any more money,” Murphy said. “Because if it doesn’t work, let’s not go spend another $5 million researching it.”
The Everett Herald seemed to have Project Frog Pond coverage — “assemble public relations (PR) strategy” and “Launch PR initiative about Project Frog Pond.”
Two weeks before the election, Scott Murphy’s postion was attacked in an “Opinion” piece titled “Comment: If Everett candidate can fix budget what would he cut? Three Everett Council members say Scott Murphy’s budget criticisms are mistaken and too broad.”
It didn’t look like opinion. It didn’t look like news.
It looked like pure Major League Baseball stadium marketing as described in Project Frog Pond.
The three councilmembers in the October 18, 2025 Everett Herald article, – Scott Bader, Ben Zarlingo and Don Schwab – all voted on numerous occasions in favor of measures supporting a “new outdoor multi-purpose stadium.”
Donald Schwab and Ben Zarlingo signed Joint Resolution 2056 in 2022, supporting the “new outdoor multi-purpose stadium.”
Donald Schwab and Scott Bader actively supported the “New $137.9 million Stadium” at 2025 Everett City Council meetings.
In the article they indicate “… we have a critical interest in realistic budget discussions.”
Yet nowhere in the article do they “realistically” discuss the budget impacts of a “New $137.9 million Stadium.” Nowhere in the article do they address Scott Murphy’s statements, “… debt service requirements are on an annual basis and that is based on interest rates… Those sorts of rates are no longer available so the debt service on the baseball stadium downtown would be substantially higher.”
Instead, they ignore the absence of new stadium pro forma financial projections, ignore the impacts of a “New $137.9 million Stadium,” yet indicate:
“After the measures we’ve proposed for a balanced 2026 budget, our structural deficit problem shows the city facing in 2027 a deficit at this time of some $7 million.”
These councilmembers failed to face the white elephant in the room.
These three council members failed to face the cost of the “New $137.9 million Stadium” they voted for and supported for years.
What structural deficit problems will the City of Everett face in 2027, 2028, 2029 and beyond, with a “New $137.9 million Stadium?”
The “new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” should at least have been mentioned in the Everett Herald article, “Franklin wins reelection as Everett mayor”
It seems Project Frog Pond prevailed.
There was no mention of the “new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” in the article.
“If Everett candidate can fix budget what would he cut?”
Scott Murphy could have answered, “Cut the “new outdoor multi-purpose ($137 million) stadium.”
But he didn’t. And the Everett Herald didn’t either.
The Everett Public Facilities District was full of politics.
At the Everett Public Facilities District (PFD), two board members were running for public office and one board member, Julio Cortes, was a state legislator while also working as a city of Everett staff member and liason to the PFD.
Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Scott Murphy ran for mayor of Everett.
Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Julio Cortes endorsed the mayor – Cassie Franklin.
The president of the Everett Public Facilities District and Boardmember, Ryan Crowther, ran for Everett City Council.
All three were sent emails asking for PFD board member email addresses.
None of the three replied.
Eventually, the Treasurer and Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District, Michael Swanson, replied.
Mr. Martin suggested to Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember, Michael Swanson:
“I suggest you contact Julio Cortes to determine to what extent House Bill (HB) 1109 can be used to finance an “Everett Outdoor Event Center” or a “Refurbished Funko Field,” should Everett’s Stadium Fiscal Advisory Committee prove to be overly optimistic in their revenue projections, or if a professional sports team fails to make payments, breaks their lease, or leaves Everett.”
Treasurer and Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District, Michael Swanson, replied:
Mr Martin –
Respectfully, that’s not a topic that I’m interested in following up on as it’s outside the scope and purpose of what the Everett PFD was established to do. We exist to protect the public’s investment in the Everett Events Center, oversee sound management and operations, adequately save for maintenance and capital improvements, and pay down the debt associated with this facility.
If you are interested in discussing financing for the proposed baseball stadium, I’d suggest you go straight to the source and follow up with the individuals who are exploring this topic in the Everett mayor’s office.
Michael Swanson
EPFD Treasurer
email from Michael Swanson 11-25-2025 EPFD Treasurer Re: What is the maximum amount of Stadium Tax the Everett Public Facilities District could collect under HB 1109?ft.e
More than a year earlier, on August 9, 2024, Treasurer and Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District, Michael Swanson, received ft.f1
a Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model for the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility – Proposed Downtown Site including naming rights projections from Scott Pattison, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin’s Special Projet Manager.ft.f2
The Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model receipents included EPFD Boardmember, Scott Murphy, Attorney Stacey Lewis, bond specialist at Pacifica Law Group, and Ben Franz-Knight of sss (SOJ).
Ben Franz-Knight was introduced by Scott Pattison, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin’s Special Projet Manager, and made a presentation to the Everett City Council on June 11, 2025.
Mayor Cassie Franklin nominated Scott Pattison to be a Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District.
Scott Pattison, Mayor Cassie Franklins Special Projects Manager, became a Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District in 2026.
The Everett Public Facilities District owns Angels of the Winds Arena, managed by Oak View Group.
Now, “All Politics are Global.”
The President of the United States
pardoned
Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke
. Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke was recently indicted for conspiracy to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena. Oak View Group Manages the Everett Public Facilities District (PFD) multi-purpose arena – – Angel of the Winds.
Mayor Franklin’s Special Projects Manager, Scott Pattison, is now a Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District.
Two Everett School Board candidates, Anna Marie Jackson and Tom CLark, had their campaigns disrupted and publicized because of attack ads and campaign contributions. The contributions came from James and Shelly Lee to the political action committee — Committee for Educational Integrity for Everett Public Schools Board.
The current lease for the Everett Memorial Stadium baseball field expires in 2027 and must be renegotiated for 2028.
The Everett School Board, will be responsible for renegotiating the Everett Memorial Stadium baseball field naming rights.
Everett School Board Candidate Anna Marie Laurence indicated:
Dear Mr. Martin,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts on the naming rights for Everett Memorial Stadium.
At this time, there are still many unknowns regarding what the situation will look like in 2027 when the current lease expires. While the school board will eventually play a role in reviewing any proposed agreements, there are currently no action items before the board, and therefore the board is not currently involved in conversations regarding potential scenarios for the Everett Memorial Stadium for 2027.
That said, I do believe the board should proactively consider all opportunities to increase district revenue as part of the long term planning, while ensuring any decisions align with the best interests of our students and community. I have shared your thoughts with district administrators.
I will continue to keep students at the center of all decisions that I make. I appreciate your engagement, advocacy, and support for the students of Everett Public Schools.
Best, Anna MArie Laurence
email from Anna Marie Laurence Candidate for Everett School Board 9-2-2025 Re Everett School Board Candidates and Members ft.g
ft.a) email from Bill Wheeler Candidate Everett City Council District ONE 5-14 2025 RE Baseball stadium questions ft.a
ft.b) email from Rich Ryan Candidate for Mayor of Everett 5-26-2025 Response to stadium build! ft.b
ft.c) email from Janice Green Candidate for Everett Mayor 5-12-2025 RE Is Major League Baseball running the government? ft.c
ft.d1)06-28-2025 Scott Murphy For Everett Mayor-Homelessness in Everett continues to increase despite reductions across the rest of the County ft.d1
ft.d2)9-15-2026 Reset the clock on the public comment.ft.d2
ft.d3)9-19-2025 Re: “… naming rights …. this is a construction subsidy in disguise.”ft.d3
ft.e)email from Michael Swanson 11-25-2025 EPFD Treasurer Re: What is the maximum amount of Stadium Tax the Everett Public Facilities District could collect under HB 1109?ft.e
ft.f1)August 9, 2024, Treasurer and Boardmember of the Everett Public Facilities District, Michael Swanson, received ft.f1
ft.f2) Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model for the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility – Proposed Downtown Site including naming rights projections from Scott Pattison, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin’s Special Projet Manager.ft.f2
ft.g) email from Anna Marie Laurence Candidate for Everett School Board 9-2-2025 Re Everett School Board Candidates and Members ft.g
Mill Creek family throws $489k into Everett school board races
Editorial: Attack ads an undeserved slander of school official
============================================================ Who tried to take money from the School District?
Under construction
Naming Rights
Attached to the August 9, 2024 email was a “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” with Naming Rights valued at $1,000,000 per year, split 50/50.
Download email- -Everett-to-Murphy-Swanson-Everett-PFD-Lewis-Pacific-CC-Franz-SOJ-Revenue-Model-8-9-2024-1-1.pdf
Download DRAFT-CITY-ONLY_Everett-OMF_Preliminary-Operating-Revenue-and-Expense-Model_72224-version-2-1.xlsx
Source City of Everett Public Facitities District 8-9-2024 email from Scott Pattison, Everett Special Projects Manager, to Everett Public Facilities District board members Scott Murphy and Michael Swanson, Pacific Law Group bond counsel Stacy Lewis, and CC’d to Ben Franz of SOJ. Subject – Sites and Revenue
“…. naming rights is a large source of Revenue.” — said Scott Pattison of the City of Everett staff at a June 11, 2025 presentation to the Everett City Council.An estimated $6.8 million or more over a 30-year period is the “large source of Revenue.”
That money does not belong to billionaire Major League Baseball owners or Minor League Baseball owners.
That $6.8 million and the name of the stadium belongs to taxpayers.
The City of Everett 2024 “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” forecast that naming rights could be worth $ 1 Million per year or what amounts to roughly $30 million over a 30-year period.
Scott Pattison did not include the 2024 $1 million dollars per year naming rights forecast in the June 11, 2025 presentation to the Everett City Council.
Instead, the city staff indicated, “…. naming rights is a large source of Revenue.”
Using the City of Everett 2024 “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” and the AECOM Hunt estimates the Funko Field Renovation of $29.4 million, the ‘cost’ of refurbishing Everett Memorial Stadium (Funko Field) would be – Revenue $30 million – cost $29.4 million = $0.6 million excess Revenue — positive revenue.
The Everett City staff did not include the $30 million dollar naming rights revenue or the $29.4 million Funko Field Renovation cost estimate in the June 11, presentation to the Everett City Council.
In a study by Team Services, actual naming rights value was estimated at $227,000 per year, resulting in an estimated $6.8 million or more over a 30-year period.
The cost of refurbishing Everett Memorial Stadium would be $22.6 million ($6.8 million – $29.4 million = $-22.6 million). compared to the $117 cost provided by the the Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee Report.
There are no comparible EIS costs for the multi purpose stadium. There were no cost estimates for the new stadium in the DEIS or the EIS.
The “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” existed months before the final EIS. But the time delay or a current Operating Revenue and Expense Model were not disclosed at the Everett City Council meeting.
Instead, the Everett City staff indicated there were no options to the new downtown stadium.
Contrary to the presentation of the Everett City staff, support for Refurbishing Everett Memorial Stadium – Funko Field – in Everett, Washington as a viable option was submitted to all members of the Everett City Council and made part of the public record on May 27, 2025, months after “… the financial feasibility committee …work was completed” (December 5, 2024). The email and pdf file* specifically indicated:
“Refurbish the current stadium — Funko Field — on Everett School District property, have the AquaSox and Major League Baseball continue paying more than $100,000 per year in rent to the Everett Public School District, and after Funko Field is refurbished, establish an increased rental rate to be paid to the Everett Public School District based on the new fair market rental value of Funko Field.”
The 1 million a nonsenceical naming rights figure used by the City of Everett staff could be to bolster revenue forcasts relayed to Everett Councilmembers, or the 50/50 split with the renters, who would benefit enormusly from the 50/50/ split, to entice potential leasors.
In other cities, for example Las Vegas, it is alleged that naming rights were used as a construction subsidy.
Source Yahoo Sports 10-26-2017 https://sports.yahoo.com/las-vegas-taxpayers-forced-pay-80m-ballpark-naming-rights-170138174.html
One citizen sent an email CC’d to the Everett School District Boardmembers and senior Everett School District staff members indicating:
“I think the School District should consider not renewing the AquaSox Lease for this coming season.
The City Council, Cassie Franklin with the guidance of MLB and 7th Inning, SOJ consulting have crafted anarrative to undermine this process attack small local businesses for forcing property owners into concessions and trying to force less than market value offers for private property for the soul benefit of a financially albatross around the city’s neck – knowing full well they will be long gone in 2030 when the bill hits.
They don’t have the money – they are displacing businesses with no way to actually compensate them for the moves (you can’t buy 16 commercial properties and move 23 businesses for 20 million dollars which is what is approved).
These are tax paying commercial properties being replaced by one massive place that is tax exempt and is actually a cost – stadiums do not pay for themselves.
They have in the financial plan light rail as early 2035 adding to the revenue – they aren’t even building this link or starting until at least 2043 and require 1.6 billion dollars to do it.
This is simply political ego, corruption and lies for the benefit of one old billionaire sitting in Dubai who thinks he’s entitled to anything he wants – and doesn’t think he should pay.
To my first point – there is no benefit for keeping the AquaSox at Memorial stadium. The school district should consider renting the field to other people or charging MLB 3 X the current rent for a short-term lease.
Capitalism goes both ways.”
——-
The Everett School District should consider renting Everett Memorial Stadium to other people and organizations.
The Aquasox may be forced to leave because they do not have a stadium to play in.
Eugene Oregon voters rejected a $15 million bond measure for a new stadium.
Minor League Baseball states, “While the effort to find a new facility is ongoing, the Emeralds will remain in Eugene at least through the 2027 season.”
Download email-from-Jeremy-Reed-12-12-2025-The-Outdoor-Event-Center-Resolution-is-based-on-no-Fiscal-Summary-Statement-and-no-public-or-fiscal-projection.pdf
Built on donated land in 1947, the current baseball stadium is owned by Everett School District #2. It was dedicated in memory of Everett citizens who died during military service in World War II – Everett Memorial Stadium.
The current lease with 7th inning streatch (the AquaSox) for the Everett Memorial Stadium baseball field expires in 2027 and must be renegotiated for 2028. Funko Inc., a billion dollar company, has a contractual relationship with the MILB union for likness immages and has entered into a naming rights agreement.
Abusive – – the small amount of money the Aquasox/Major League Baseball currently pay the Everett School District for naming rights is financially abusive.
Currently, the school district recieves $34,500 per year in naming rights from the Aquasox.
The current naming rights rate for Everett Memorial Stadium (Funco Field) is $138,000
$227,000 per year was the market rate estimate for Minor League Baseball Stadium (Milb) naming rights in 2013.
The Everett School District is being financially abused by the Aquasox/Major League Baseball.
Proposed renegotiation terms insure that 100% of the market rate for naming rights is paid to the Everett School District.
Amendment 1 paragraph 3 of the AquaSox License Agreement indicates, “…the District will receive (25) twenty-five percent of the net proceeds of the naming rights agreement.”
For the years 2025-2027 the naming rights amount is $138,000. 25% of 138,000 amounts to $34,500 less expenses.
$34,500 is the Everett School District’s share of naming rights revenue.
The lease expires in 2027 and must be renegotiated for 2028.
A 2013 study by Team Services for the City of Fredrick Maryland found the average total value for naming rights deals in MiLB to be around $3.193 million over 13.82 years, with an average annual value of $227,000.
The current naming rights rate of $138,000 paid is $89,000 below the average annual value of $227,000.
School District No. 2 will renegotiate terms and amounts for the 2028 season.
Renegotiation recommendateions were made to the Everett School Board.
“Specifically:
1). The AquaSox License Agreement (2018-2020) Section 7. Exclusive Use; shall be renegotiated to read:
The Everett School District shall retain and be entitled to an exclusive license during each Season to: (sections a through d).
Amendment 1 The AquaSox License Agreement (2018-2020) Section 3; shall be renegotiated to read:
During the term of the lease, The Everett School District will retain and have the right to sell naming rights to the field. The Everett School District will receive (100) one hundred percent of the net proceeds of the naming rights agreement.
2). The naming rights fee schedule of the renegotiated naming rights agreement between the Everett School District No. 2 and the licensee (currently Funko, LLC) will be $227,000 in 2028 and include upgrades (see section 6.2 of the current agreement). An annual escalator clause will be included in the agreement.
Over a 9-year period, this amounts to over $2,043,000 gross.
Over a 30-year period, this amounts to at least $6.8 million.”
Download email-to-Annamarie-Laurence-Everett-School-Board-Member-7-20-2025-The-name-of-the-Everett-Memorial-baseball-stadium-field.pdf
============================================================================
Decay Multiplier
There are Decay Multiplier Costs associated with Professional Gambling, Political Corruption, Professional Cheating, Domestic Violence, and Super Bowl Sunday. There is No Benefit to Keeping the AquaSox at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Contray to the “Keep the Aquasox At All Costs” mentality of some media outlets, politicians and citizens, other citizens approaches are essentially
Kick The Aquasox Out of Town and Good Riddance!!
=========================================================================
The Cost of professional sports has not been adequately addressed by the City of Everett, Snohomish County, or the State of Washington.
Costs associated with professional sports are not included or quantified in the Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee Report, DEIS and EIS, or the Community Attributes Inc study.
These are Costs associated with Professional Gambling, Political Corruption, Professional Cheating, Domestic Violence, and Super Bowl Sunday.
Super Bowl Sunday
Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue, not necessarily tied to one day, but Super Bowl Sunday, and professional sports in general, involve alcohol and heightened emotions.
Domestic violence incidents rise by about 10% on days when NFL “upset losses” games are played, usually occurring in family homes and most of the time affecting women.
While it is difficult to assess the degree prostitution, sex trafficing, and domestic violence occuring on Super Bowl Sunday, it is very clear that factors like alcohol and heightened emotions contribute to domestic violence generally.
Increased domestic violence, and possibly prostitution and sex trafficing, are costs associated with professional sports.
Source National Organization for Women 12-10-2024 After The Whistle: How NFL Games Affect Domestic Violence Rates ht tps://now.org/blog/after-the-whistle-how-nfl-games-affect-domestic-violence-rates/
Source National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine (NLM) 7-16-2013 Family Violence and Football: The Effect of Unexpected Emotional Cues on Violent Behavior ht tps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3712874/
Political CorruptionHarry Sidhu, former mayor of Anaheim, California, was sentenced to federal prison in 2025 regarding a scandal over the proposed $325 million sale of Angel Stadium and the surrounding city-owned land to the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.
Sidhu was accused of passing confidential, inside information about the city’s negotiation position to the Angels in hopes of securing a $1 million campaign contribution from them.
In August 2023, Sidhu agreed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and making false statements to the FBI. In March 2025, he was sentenced to two months in federal prison, fined $55,000, and ordered to serve one year of supervised probation.
The FBI investigation resulted in the city of Anaheim canceling the deal to sell Angel Stadium to the team.
Elected officials, instead of allocating time for addressing property tax, sales tax, income tax, police and fire protection, domestic violence, sex trafficing, housing, equality, social needs such has hunger, homelessness, and health, allocate time to build professional sports stadiums for billionaire professional sports owners.
Professional sports are clearly a cost to elected officials and the democratic system.
=====================================================================================
Professional Gambling
Gambling is deeply associated with professional sports today.
Major leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA) partner with betting companies (sportsbooks) for sponsorships, advertising, and data licensing, generating millions in revenue.
In the media coverage, sports broadcasts and networks extensively feature betting lines, odds, and expert picks, making gambling a core part of the professional sports fan experience.
In October, 2025 former National Basketball Association Players were Charged in a Widespread Sports Betting and Money Laundering Conspiracy. New York United States Attorney stated. “… the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks. This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit. Insider betting schemes erode the integrity of American sports,…”
Source US Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York Press Release 10-23-2025 Current and Former National Basketball Association Players and Four Other Individuals Charged in Widespread Sports Betting and Money Laundering Conspiracy
The crimes and behavior of professional athletes have a multiplier effect, spreading to college athletes.
A federal indictment recently charged more than 20 people, including at least a dozen current and former college basketball players, with fixing games for gamblers from 2022-25.
Former LSU star and Chicago Bulls player Antonio Blakeney is the most prominent athlete indicted. The NCAA already stripped eligibility from 11 athletes at seven schools and continues investigating nearly 40 more for alleged sports betting violations.
Source Los Angeles Times 01-25-2026 “Dozens of players and gamblers indicted on charges of fixing college basketball games”
https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-01-15/players-indicted-fixing-ncaa-chinese-basketball-games-scandal-antonio-blakeney-shane-hennen
The criminal activity and moral decay of college and professional athletes multiplies, spreading to high school and junior high sports ehtics and behaviors.
These value decay multiplier effects are clearly a cost associated with professional sports and professional sports stadium construction efforts by billionaire professional sports owners.
Professional sports have transformed from shunning gambling to embracing it as a massive revenue stream, creating a complex environment where commercial interests clash with the need to maintain fair play and protect athletes from addiction.
Professional sports and gambling have costs to a society. Those costs and made greater when professional sport billionaires seek to build more and more professional sports stadiums.
===========================================
Professional Cheating
The game of baseball itself glorifies cheaters and made them World Champions!!
The team that cheated is the Houston Astros. The Houston Astros used a video camera and trash can to steal baseball signals for the other team,, leading to a $5 million fine, loss of draft picks, and suspensions for their general manager and manager.
The players themselves weren’t punished and kept their title.
Houston Astro players used an illegal video camera system to decode opponents’ signs and then relayed them to hitters by banging on a trash can in the dugout. They wern’t punished and kept their title.
Major League Baseball (MLB), a legal monopoly, fined the Astros $5 million.
In 2020, the Houston Astros were valued at roughly $2.25 billion. $5 million is less than 1/3 of 1% of the value of the Houston Astros and $5 million is less than 1/5th of their highest paid player in 2017, Justin Verlander ($25.7 million).
That’s like telling Little Leaguers, that after they steal candy from a store, just keep playing and only eat a small part of the candy.
Like Professional Sports Gambling, Professional Sports Cheating has a moral decay multiplier effect. The moral decay multiplier must be included when evaluating the Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee Report, the DEIS and EIS, and added as an additional economic (moral decay) multiplier in the Community Attributes Inc study evaluation.
These moral decay multiplier effects are clearly a cost associated with professional sports and professional sports stadium construction efforts by billionaire professional sports owners.
The largest tax break has not been addressed by the Everett City Council, Snohomish County, or the State of Washington.
And I’ll tell you what they do
Take their Capital Deductions
While the rest of us get skewed
From the song ‘No Frogs Downtown Blues’
Billionaire owners can utilize capital depreciation laws to effectively write off a portion of their players’ salaries.
Team owners can take 100% amortization deductions of the adjusted tax basis for certain intangibles (like player contracts, goodwill, media rights) over 15 years.
But unlike billionaire professional sports team owners, a small business owner can’t amortize employee salaries and get a tax deduction for it.
To see how owners like Steve Ballmer pay lower tax rates than even stadium employees, watch the following video.
Alternatively, call the IRS and ask about Section 197 of the amortization laws.
how sports-owners use their teams to avoid millions in taxeshow the one big beautiful bill tax act hits the sports industry
Side Notes
President & Group Publisher – Oregon & North Carolina, 11-15-25
Download email from Annie Pennucci, Director Forecasting & Research Division, Washington State Office of Financial Management July 11, 2025
Download email to Dan Eernissee Everett Director Economic Development 4-7-2025
Download email from Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin 6-10-2025
Download email from to Donald Schwab Everett Council President, Project Frog Pond Re $29,431,281 $39,341,332 $137,888,124 $117,500,000 – 8-27-2025 10-13-20225
Download email from William Geschke General Assignment Reporter Everett Herald 12 18 2025
Download email from Megan Dunn Snohomish County Council RE Snohomish County involvement in the proposed new downtown baseball stadium in Everett 6-13-2025
Download John Stanton September 26, 2022 letter to the Everett City
Council and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin supporting “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study.
Download John Stanton September 26, 2022 letter to the Snohomish County
Council and the Snohomish County Executive Gerald Somers supporting “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study.
Download On September 28, 2022, the Snohomish County and the City
of Everett Joint Resolution 22056 was signed, promoting “a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium” study.
Stadium Taxes And Economic Research
“Given that stadium subsidies fail cost-benefit analyses, why do state and local policymakers persist in offering substantial tax-financed subsidies to professional sports teams? The answer lies in the basic political motivation to prioritize re-election above other interests, even when those interests are aligned with good governance and sound tax policy.
Sports stadium subsidies are salient political gimmicks designed to appear as if politicians are providing tangible benefits to taxpayers. Elected officials also fear reprisal by voters if a team were to relocate. And recent moves, such as the NFL’s St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles in 2016, the San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles in 2017, and the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas in 2020, demonstrate the threat of relocation is real.”
In Everett, Washngton, some citizens advocate the “Kick The Aquasox Out of Town and Good Riddance!!” approach, citing decay multiiplier costs such as poitical corruption, professional gambling, and domestic violence associated with NFL football.
“Keep the team in town wars” between cities is a decades old professional sports divide and conquer strategy. Federal legislation prohibiting tax-exempt bonds, while beneficial to taxpayers, will not quell the friction.
Tax Foundation
Taxpayers Shoulder a Heavy Burden for Sports Stadium Subsidies
Field of Schemes
Field of Schemes is a great source of information and provides answers to the question, “How much are taxpayers spending on stadiums and arenas, really?”
Field of Schemes contains numerous cost-benefit studies that contradict the rosy Community Attributes Inc. study.
The Community Attributes Inc. study was done for the City of Everett, the Mariners, and the Aquasox.
The fiscal and economic outlook study was adopted by the Everett Fiscal Advisory Committee and, based on optomistic projections, was misleadingly presented it to the Everett City Council.
Data – Field of Schemes
Data
Journalists Resource
Public funding for sports stadiums: A primer and research roundup
Congressional Concerns & Findings:
• Economic Impact: Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports and Brookings Institution analyses consistently find little evidence that new stadiums generate significant local economic development, jobs, or income growth, shifting spending rather than creating new economic activity.
https://www.taxnotes.com/research/federal/legislative-documents/congressional-research-service-reports/crs-reports-on-tax-exempt-bonds-used-to-finance-sports/12r4l, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/sports-jobs-taxes-are-new-stadiums-worth-the-cost/
• Federal Subsidies: Tax-exempt municipal bonds used for stadiums are seen as an unfair federal subsidy, as residents in states without teams benefit from federal tax revenue funding stadiums elsewhere, reports Tax Notes and the Brookings Institution. Proposed Legislation & Action:
• No Tax Subsidies Act: Bills like the “No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act”, introduced by figures like Senators Lankford & Booker and Rep. Blumenauer, aim to eliminate the tax exemption for bonds funding pro sports facilities.
Stanford
Stanford has several articles.
Stanford: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/7201901
Wiley Online Library
Public policy toward professional sports stadiums: A review – Bradbury – 2024 – Journal of Policy Analysis and Management – Wiley Online Library https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pam.22534
Bloomberg (tons on this investor site, if you have a subscription) https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-07-16/four-reasons-taxpayers-should-never-subsidize-stadiums
One more resource that media outlets in the area should be looking into is the
Harvard Kennedy School’s Journalist’s Resource.
The Harvard Kennedy School’s Journalist’s Resource article, “… four tips for journalists covering stadium deals” provides a good starting point for the local media.
It’s a “must read in detail” for the Urbanist, which seemingly supports subsidizing the stadium, foolishly prints city inaccurate press release figures as the truth, and functions as a cheerleader for the $150 billion unpaid for transit system that isn’t projected to be be finished in Everett downtown stadium area until 2045.
It’s also a “must read” for the Everett Herald, which seemingly functions as the marketing arm for Major League Baseball, other newspapers and media outlets in the area.
Footnotes
“I’m Jane Hague, Chairperson of the Metropolitan King County Council and
a hostage of professional sports.”
Is Major League Baseball an economic terrorist?
This is not an academic exerice.
This is and investigation.
The extensive footnoting is designed to assist current and future investigators.
This investigation seeks to answer numerous questions including,
“Is Major League Baseball Running the Government?”
- Source MyMLTNews Letter to the editor: It’s tiny Everett vs. global Major League Baseball 7-12-2025 https://mymltnews.com/letter-to-the-editor-its-tiny-everett-vs-global-major-league-baseball/ ↩︎
- Source United States Department of Justice Press Release 7-9-2025 https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/live-entertainment-ceo-indicted-orchestrating-conspiracy-rig-bidding-process-public ↩︎
- Source Washington State Attorney General Press Release 9-20-2024 https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/climate-pledge-arena-pay-477k-penalties-refunds-result-ag-ferguson-s-hidden-fee ↩︎
- Source Cascade PBS,”Climate Pledge Arena to pay over $477K to settle hidden fees case” 9-20-2024 https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/briefs/2024/09/climate-pledge-arena-pay-over-477k-settle-hidden-fees-case/# ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Public Records Request [EXTERNAL] Fwd: MLB PDL Facility Standards Compliance – Deferral Follow Up (Everett Aqua Sox)
08-03-2023 753am
Chad Volpechadvolpe@gmail.com
Cassie Franklin;Dan Eernissee
Pat Filippone
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Cassie and Dan,
As discussed with Dan on Tuesday, attached is the “warning letter” we received from MLB. This was unexpected, and we have until September 30 to respond.
We’re happy to discuss with you at any time, and hopefully our meeting on the 23rd lays the groundwork and timeline for us to respond appropriately to them.
Thanks,
Chad
Begin forwarded message:
From: “Meginniss, Briana” Briana.Meginniss@mlb.com
Date: July 28, 2023 at 3:53:37 PM EDT
To: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@gmail.com
Cc: “Sword, Morgan” morgan.sword@mlb.com, “Brumm, Chris” chris.brumm@mlb.com, “Woodfork, Peter” peter.woodfork@mlb.com, “Seymour, Fred” fred.seymour@mlb.com, “LaCassa, Mike” mike.lacassa@mlb.com, “Warren, Sabrina” sabrina.warren@mlb.com, “Justin Toole [Seattle Mariners]” jtoole@mariners.com
Subject: MLB PDL Facility Standards Compliance – Deferral Follow Up (Everett Aqua Sox)
Chad,
Please see the attached letter from Chris Brumm.
Thank you,
Briana
Briana Rose Meginniss
Assistant Secretary
MLB Professional Development Leagues, LLC
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tel: (646) 931-8678 | Cell: (914) 426-2594
Email: briana.meginniss@mlb.com ↩︎ - Source email from John Carr – Carpenter Media Group Senior Vice President; 11-15-2025. ↩︎
- Source The Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild “Who is Carpenter Media Group? Protect your local newspaper from corporate greed.” Save PNW Local News” https://www.pnwguild.org/save-pnw-news ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Public Records Request Project Frog Pond DRAFT AND Email Charlton VolpeTOCassie Franklin10022025a
Charlton VolpeTOCassie Franklin04222022a
[EXTERNAL] Everett AquaSox – DRAFT of Timeline and Responsibilities
Charlton Volpechadvolpe@gmail.com
Cassie Franklin;Nick Harper;Lori Cummings;Dan Eernissee
thomas volpe;Pat Filippone
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Cassie,
I hope all is well with you.
As we discussed during our meeting, please find attached a DRAFT of a timeline and responsibilities document that lays out the next few months for what we are calling “Project Frog Pond”. Please let us know if you or anyone on your team have any comments, questions or additions, and we obviously want to make sure this aligns with how you see the project progressing and the necessary community and political steps. We are happy to have a call/videoconference to discuss live if that would be easier.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team as we pursue this project for the city of Everett.
Thank you,
Chad
==============================================
DRAFT
Project Frog Pond
Proposed Timeline and Responsibilities
April
Finalize site survey analysis by Crossroads/Populous; provide to Community
Attributes -> Everett AquaSox
Community Attributes commences economic impact analysis -> Mayor’s Office
May
AquaSox ownership to meet with 2-4 City Council members (as chosen by Mayor’s
Office) -> Mayor’s Office to facilitate introductions; AquaSox to conduct meetings
Community Attributes continues economic impact analysis; AquaSox provide
information/data as needed -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
Begin drafting a project working document/presentation which outlines the entire
multi-purpose family entertainment venue project (including site surveys, economic
impact for Everett, benefits of new multi-purpose family entertainment venue in the
community and development, etc.) to be used in meeting with relevant parties in the
community -> AquaSox
June
AquaSox ownership to meet with remaining City Council members and other opinion
leaders in the community -> AquaSox with help/intros from Mayor’s Office
Community Attributes finalizes economic impact analysis -> Mayor’s Office
Discuss with Seattle Mariners on specifically how/when to get them involved as
Project Frog Pond becomes public (e.g. letters, visits, etc.) -> AquaSox
Identify one or two sites to fully pursue based on further review and economic
impact analysis -> Mayor’s Office in conjunction with AquaSox
page 1
DRAFT
Determine necessary site-specific scope of work, documents/filings, and approvals
based on final sites (including whether on public vs private land) -> Mayor’s Office
and AquaSox
Assemble/finalize working document/presentation which outlines the entire multipurpose family entertainment venue project -> AquaSox to prepare the document
with Mayor’s Office providing input and comments
City Council approves ballot initiative for November elections -> Mayor’s Office
Meet again with all City Council members to discuss Project Frog Pond proposal ->
Mayor’s Office & AquaSox
AquaSox continue to meet with relevant community groups and business leaders to
discuss Project Frog Pond proposal -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
Review and begin work on necessary City Council (or other entities) reviews and/or
votes and how to draft necessary paperwork/filings -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
Begin discussions regarding potential financing – sources of funds and potential
scale of funds -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office, plus other parties as relevant
Assemble public relations (PR) strategy -> AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s
Office
AquaSox conduct quarterly facility review with MLB and the Mariners to present
progress made to date -> AquaSox
DRAFT
July
Launch PR initiative about Project Frog Pond -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
Present specific Project Frog Pond proposal to City Council for initial review and
approval -> AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s Office
Present specific Project Frog Pond proposal to any other entities, groups or boards
for initial review and approval -> AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s Office
Depending on progress with new venue in Everett, meet with County Executive and
other County Leaders to discuss and review Project Frog Pond idea and potential
alternative locations -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
DRAFT
August
Assemble any needed working groups or other entities to continue Project Frog
Pond process pending the votes and approvals from City Council or other entities/
boards -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
Pursue follow-up work streams from initial reviews and approvals (whether City
Council or other boards/groups) to move ahead with site specific work –
infrastructure, environmental, initial design, etc., as well as any subsequent reviews,
approvals, or votes -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
Determine whether or not Project Frog Pond is viable in Everett -> AquaSox and
Mayor’s Office ↩︎ - Source City of Everett Council Meeting, June 11, 2025 at 1:09;30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikAKcNuvAs ↩︎
- Source email to Dan Eernissee, Everett Economic Development Director 4-7-2025 ↩︎
- Source City of Everett June 11, 2025 Agenda Item Cover Sheet https://www.everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/18338?fileID=102135 ↩︎
- Source National Law Review https://natlawreview.com/article/alternative-structure-certain-p3-projects-63-20-financing ↩︎
- Source PFG Facilities Group, Seattle, WA 98101 https://publicfacilitiesgroup.org/our-approach/ ↩︎
- Source Washington State Treasurer, State Finance Committee https://tre.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/2024.06.13_sfc_briefing_book_vfinal.pdf ↩︎
- Source Everett Herald October 18, 2025 https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-if-everett-candidate-can-fix-budget-what-would-he-cut/ ↩︎
- Source City of Everett June 11, 2025 Agenda Item Cover Sheet https://www.everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/18338?fileID=102135 ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Public Records Request, Snohomish County Public Records Request, John Stanton September 26, 2022 Letters. ↩︎
- Washington State Office of Financial Management Letter, Annie Pennucci, Director, OFM Forecasting & Research Division July 11, 2025. The following is included in the letter. “As you also know, Input-Output models are portraits of national or regional economies that are widely used to calculate economic impacts, such as the impact of the Boeing Company on the Washington State economy, or the economic impact of arts and cultural organizations on the Central Puget Sound regional economy. They measure economic impacts through estimates of sales (output) by industry, labor income, and jobs created. They were developed in the 1930’s by Wassily Leontief, a Harvard University professor who won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his pioneering work on these models for national economies.
In February 1936, a similar time period, John Maynard Keynes published “The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money,” and formally introduced the concept of the multiplier effect.
Milton Friedman, a leading figure of the Chicago School of Economics who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1976, argued that the Keynesian multiplier was incorrectly formulated and fundamentally flawed. The theory ignores how governments finance spending by taxation or debt issues. Raising taxes takes the same or more out of the economy as saving, while raising funds by bonds causes the government to go into debt. The growth of debt becomes a powerful incentive for the government to raise taxes or inflate the currency to pay it off, thus lowering the purchasing power of each dollar that workers earn. ↩︎ - Source Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis,Paulina Restrepo-Echavarría
Senior Economic Policy Advisor, “Meet The Multiplier Effect” https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2020/february/meet-multiplier-effect “The overall takeaway from my research is that government spending does not seem to be a very cost-effective way to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Dupor, Bill; and Guerrero, Rodrigo. Local and Aggregate Fiscal Policy Multipliers. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Working Paper 2016-004C, June 2017.n ↩︎ - RE: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
01-07-2021 1:39 pm
RE: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
Cassie Franklin
Saltzman, Ian
Kovacs, Debra D.
Thank you!
Cassie Franklin
Mayor
425.257.7119 | 2930 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201
everettwa.gov | Facebook | Twitter
Note: Emails and attachments sent to and from the City of Everett are public records and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act.
From: Saltzman, Ian ISaltzman@everettsd.org
Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2021 1:39 PM
To: Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
Cc: Kovacs, Debra D. DKovacs@everettsd.org
Subject: RE: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
My pleasure
My team will reach out, whatever you need.
From: Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2021 1:24 PM
To: Saltzman, Ian ISaltzman@everettsd.org; maravich81@gmail.com
Cc: Chris Mefford chris@communityattributes.com
Subject: FW: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
Dr. Saltzman,
Thank you for your time the other day when we spoke. As I mentioned, we are looking forward to Mr. Garry Clark being our next CEO for the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County. He and his wife are hoping to learn more about our outstanding Everett School District, not only because they have children who may be future EPS students, but Mrs. Clark is a teacher.
I’ve copied him on this email along with EASC’s current interim CEO, Chris, in hopes to make a connection.
Thank you as always for your leadership and partnership!
Warmly,
Cassie
Cassie Franklin
Mayor
425.257.7119 | 2930 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201
everettwa.gov | Facebook | Twitter
Note: Emails and attachments sent to and from the City of Everett are public records and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act.
From: Chris Mefford chris@communityattributes.com
Sent: Friday, January 1, 2021 9:11 AM
To: maravich81@gmail.com; Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
Subject: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
Hi Garry and Cassie, Wanted to connect you two by email here. Cassie, I believe Garry arrives this evening and is touring tomorrow. Emails above, Garry’s cell is 402-380-7196.
I extolled the virtues of Everett to Garry, but I’m not empowered to offer him a key to the city …. 😊
CHRIS MEFFORD
President & CEO | Community Attributes Inc.
communityattributes.com
office: 206.523.6683
mobile: 206.617.9576
From: maravich81@gmail.com maravich81@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 11:24 AM
To: Chris Mefford chris@communityattributes.com
Subject: RE: EASC follow up
Hi Chris,
Thanks again. Yes. Totally fine with the contact share for Mayor Cassie Franklin. I did find one home in North Everett that’s listed, and looks pretty cool to us. I will keep that area in mind. Thanks again for your guidance and support.
Most appreciated. Happy New Year!
Garry Clark
Econ. Developer. Speaker. Author. Poet.
Garry.ClarkSpeaks@gmail.com
Maravich81@gmail.com ↩︎ - Washington State Office of Financial Management Letter, Annie Pennucci, Director, OFM Forecasting & Research Division July 11, 2025 ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Public Records Request [EXTERNAL] RE: Thank you!
12-19-2024
[EXTERNAL] RE: Thank you!
Danny Tetzlaffdannyt@aquasox.com
Pat Filippone;Chad Volpe;Cassie Franklin
Dan Eernissee;Scott Pattison
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Cassie –
Way to go!
It was quite a journey to get to this point – thanks to everyone for all their efforts! Great to see a unanimous vote too!
Looking forward to hitting it out of the park with a facility that is a showcase for the PNW! And the pride of Everett!
Thanks again for everything!
Danny Tetzlaff
Everett AquaSox | General Manager
High Single-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners
FUNKO FIELD
P: (425) 258-3673
E: dannyt@aquasox.com
—–Original Message—–
From: Pat Filippone PFilippone@stocktonports.com
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:21 PM
To: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@gmail.com; Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
Cc: Dan Eernissee DEernissee@everettwa.gov; Scott Pattison SPattison@everettwa.gov; Danny Tetzlaff dannyt@aquasox.com
Subject: RE: Thank you!
Second that from here as well. Thanks everyone – greatly appreciated and have a great holiday season.
Pat Filippone
President
Seventh Inning Stretch
Stockton Ports/Delmarva Shorebirds/Everett AquaSox
209-644-1900
—–Original Message—–
From: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:16 PM
To: Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
Cc: Dan Eernissee DEernissee@everettwa.gov; Scott Pattison SPattison@everettwa.gov; Pat Filippone pfilippone@stocktonports.com; Danny Tetzlaff dannyt@aquasox.com
Subject: Thank you!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Cassie,
I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team after last nights successful vote! We sincerely appreciate all that you have done and your support for this project from day one. It has been great working with you, Dan, Scott and everyone else, and we look forward to continuing that momentum next year and getting this done.
In the meantime, please let us know if there’s anything else we can do or how we can be helpful.
Have a very Happy Holidays!
Thanks,
Chad ↩︎ - The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, CityOfEverett_OutdoorMPStadium_DB_App_250525_214345.pdf ↩︎
- Source Everett Herald, “City, county studying new outdoor stadium for Everett AquaSox,” September 28, 2022, https://www.heraldnet.com/news/city-county-studying-new-outdoor-stadium-for-everett-aquasox/ ↩︎
- Everett Council President Donald Schwab email, August 27, 2025 ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Public Records Request On 10/20/2025 7:49:00 AM, Everett WA Public Records Center wrote:
Subject: General City Records :: E000691-092225; “Per our Economic Development Department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett but worked with the independent third-party company retained by the City of Everett, SOJ.” ↩︎ - Source City of Everett Public Records Requestn ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Public Records Request EXTERNAL__Re-Connecting-_Everett_MLB
01-14-2025 4:25 pm
[EXTERNAL] Re-Connecting – Everett/MLB
Charlton Volpechadvolpe@gmail.com
Cassie Franklin;Woodfork, Peter
Scott Pattison;Pat Filippone
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Franklin, Peter,
I know you two have met before and spoken a few times, but I wanted to send an email re-connecting everyone.
Peter – as I mentioned, the Mayor would like the chance to give you an update on our project, and I will let the two of you find a day/time that works.
Thanks,
Chad ↩︎ - Source Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law – “Back to the Bullpen: Minor League Teams Settle with MLB Over Latest Challenge to Baseball’s Historic Antitrust Exemption” https://news.law.fordham.edu/jcfl/2024/01/05/back-to-the-bullpen-minor-league-teams-settle-with-mlb-over-latest-challenge-to-baseballs-historic-antitrust-exemption/n ↩︎
- Source The Regulatory Review University of Pennsylvania “Baseball’s Antitrust Exemption” 6-26-2024 https://www.theregreview.org/2024/06/26/hoguet-baseballs-antitrust-exemption/ ↩︎
- Source Press Release Senator Ted Cruz -“Sens. Cruz, Lee, Hawley, Rubio, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Subject MLB to Antitrust Laws” https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lee-hawley-rubio-blackburn-introduce-bill-to-subject-mlb-to-antitrust-laws n ↩︎
- Source email from Mayor Cassie Franklin 6-10-2025 ↩︎
- Source City of Everett Council Meeting, June 11, 2025 at 1:08:37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikAKcNuvAs ↩︎
- Source email from William Geschke Everett Herald Reporter 12-18-2025 ↩︎
- Source email from William Geschke General Assignment Reporter Everett Herald Reporter 12-18-25 ↩︎
- Source email from Council Member Megan Dunn 6-13-2025 RE: Snohomish County involvement in the proposed new downtown baseball stadium in Everett. ↩︎
- Source email from Snohomish County Council Member Megan Dunn 6-13-2025 ↩︎
Baseball … the soul of baseball … the game … is played by young children in parks and on streets with sticks, bats, balls and leather and, anymore, on computer monitors as youngsters manipulate the actions of baseball icons. The soul of baseball survived through the last century and the Buy it for a Song Baseball Stadium Fund forecasts it will live on well through the turn of the next century and maybe forever. The Buy it for a Song Baseball Stadium Fund supports baseball. Baseball is a feeling.
by Simon Frishkoff
Recorded at Icebird Intergalactic Recording Studios and Washateria, Lakebay, Washington. Engineer: Steve Nebel
Copyright © 1995 Simon Frishkoff
Buy it for a Song Baseball Stadium Fund