Gastonia Sues to Remove the Honey Hunters From the Stadium.
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
GASTONIA, NC (WNN) – The City of Gastonia entered into a lawsuit with the Gastonia Honey Hunters seeking to remove them from CaroMont Health Park.
On November 17, 2023, the City of Gastonia filed the suit against NC Gas House Gang, LLC, owners of the baseball team, for breach of contract. The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) has also terminated the Honey Hunters’ contract.ย
The city’s official complaint outlines a history of contract breaches by the defendants. It cites multiple instances where the NC Gas House Gang, LLC, failed to uphold the maintenance of CaroMont Health Park, despite it being a stipulation in the lease agreement.
The plaintiffs alleged: “The Team has regularly failed its maintenance obligations. Indeed, as the result of its annual facility and operational assessment of the premises this year the City noted that; the current lack of regular/routine maintenance is already shortening said life expectancy of the Facility and its amenities and equipment.”
CaroMont Health Park was a costly investment for the City, amounting to $26 million, according to the park’s website. Mary Elliot, the director of communications and marketing for Gastonia, provided a written statement.ย
“The City is seeking a preliminary injunction to establish sole possession of the ballpark facility in order to protect the significant public investment,” said Elliot.
Gastonia is not only seeking to terminate the Honey Hunters’ contract, but also monetary damages for the state that the facility was left in.
Prior to the lawsuit, the Honey Hunters had a contentious season, marked by multiple occasions of late employee paychecks during the summer of 2023.
The lawsuit reveals that the baseball team missed payments for the naming rights of both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The 2022 season’s fees, due by October 31, 2022, were paid late on August 3, 2023.
Similarly, they defaulted on their naming rites obligation again this year. The fees were due October 31, 2023, and as of the filing date remain unpaid.
Although this might be the end of the Honey Hunters’ time at CaroMont Health Park, the City will continue to utilize the facility.ย
“The City will continue to make the ballpark facility a viable place for all types of future events, including Atlantic League Professional Baseball,” said Elliot.
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