Pawsox squash latest rumor the team is leaving McCoy

By: Chloe Leshner

cleshner@abc6.com

@ChloeLeshner

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — The Pawsox are still exploring the options on whether or not to stay in Pawtucket or move to another city. Team officials, including the chairman, toured a proposed site in Worcester yesterday.

The latest rumor is that the team was working on a deal with Holy Cross, a college in Worcester, to play there next season. Their lease with the state at McCoy Stadium is up in January 2021. A spokesperson for the Pawsox tells ABC 6 News, that isn’t true. Meanwhile, Pawtucket officials aren’t showing any signs of nerves that the team will leave.

The team currently brings in $2 million to $3 million in state tax revenues. City officials say that could double if the team stays. More than that, with the downtown development planned in Pawtucket, the city could gain millions of dollars in revenue. They say if the Pawsox left, it would be a significant financial blow to the city and the state.

A city official says they’ve had productive and positive meetings with the team this week and they’re still confident Pawtucket is the only home for the Pawsox.

Pawsox officials also tell ABC 6 News as of right now, there are no meetings set up in Worcester to reveal any stadium plans.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018