Zimmerman wants to reach agreement with city, find a new owner
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(All photos/Kokomo Jackrabbits)
The future of the Kokomo Jackrabbits is on the line, but the team owners aren’t ready to hop off into the sunset. Facing declining attendance and an order to vacate Municipal Stadium from the City of Kokomo, team owner Roc Ventures is seeking a renewed lease agreement and a renewed approach to the product on the field.
According to principal owner Michael Zimmerman, the current conflict between the Jackrabbits and the city has to do with the manner in which lease renewal was proposed. He believes a meeting the spring resolved the matter and renewed the lease. The city disagrees.
“Our GM, Nathan (Martin), actually did set up a meeting when the city was looking to see what our plan was for renewal,” said Zimmerman. “We had a meeting with the mayor and some of the other administration in May. I don't have the specific date.
“We told them that we are renewing, and that we're also looking, potentially, to sell the team to a different operator. From our perspective, we gave our notice to renew.”
Zimmerman went on to say that there were some capital improvements to the stadium that were promised by the city, but those improvements did not happen during the previous five-year agreement. Those, too, he thought were addressed and would take place during the term of the next agreement. The Jackrabbits moved forward, thinking the matter was settled.
“And then, you know, we get the notice to vacate,” said Zimmerman.
The disagreement between the city and Roc Ventures boils down to the manner of notice. The lease agreement states that a renewal notice must be given in writing. The verbal agreement Zimmerman thought had been reached in May was rejected. He acted to remedy the situation when the vacation notice came after the season.
“So, here's our written renewal notice, but then they rejected our written notice,” said Zimmerman.
When it comes to terminating a lease, the property owner – the City of Kokomo – must allow a curing window. It is a period of time during which the tenant – the Jackrabbits – must be given an opportunity to remedy the violation that brought the termination proceedings. In this case, the curing window is 60 days, Zimmerman said.
“It's our position, our perspective, that we did renew, and the city's taking a slightly different angle on it,” said Zimmerman. “So, we are trying to solve that over the next few days. If we can't solve it, we'll have to go to arbitration, which is in the terms in our lease.”
Zimmerman stated that there isn’t much to negotiate with the city. He just wants the lease renewed and doesn’t have issues with the existing agreement. Still, he is willing to resolve whatever issues the city may have.
As far as what the issues are, Zimmerman readily admitted that falling attendance is a big concern.
“We are not satisfied with the attendance, just like the city,” said Zimmerman. “We share that frustration. We're on a path to correct that, whether that be either ourselves or through a different operator.
“We live in Milwaukee, and we have our hands full. Kokomo needs a boots-on-the-ground, personal touch. So, we've been trying to find a local owner (for the club). Whether I sell the team, I'm open to whatever. I really want to try to give back to Kokomo. I wish I was there every day, but I can’t be. So, I'm trying to find the kind of the perfect owner that can be out there, shaking hands, kissing babies, that type of stuff.”
Zimmerman also believes that Kokomo has gradually lost interest in attending Jackrabbits games as the newness of the team and stadium wore off over the past decade. While that is natural, he said, there are definitely things his group could do to rectify the situation.
“We're not winning enough ball games; that would be one piece,” said Zimmerman. “And I think we need more horsepower and ticket sales. We need more salespeople. It's a good market. I love Kokomo as a market. The way that the sponsors and partners turn out is fabulous. We just need more butts in the seats.
“We need more, fresh, in-game entertainment. Many minor league baseball teams add new pieces every two or three years to keep the excitement going. That was one of the things in our lease with the city. We just never did it, so we weren't able to promote that. I'm not blaming the city. I didn't push it.”
Zimmerman is hopeful that Roc Ventures and the city can find common ground and resume the relationship that brought the Jackrabbits to Kokomo in 2014. He values being a part of the community.
“We’re ready to have Jackrabbits baseball in Kokomo in 2025,” said Zimmerman. “If the city doesn't fight us and lets us go, then we're ready. We're just really grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the Kokomo community. We want to get to the right answer and get attendance bumped up.
“We see ourselves very much as an extension of the community, and we're there to serve the community. We hear the frustrations that attendance isn't great, loud and clear.”