10 years ago, Mesa built the Chicago Cubs a new ballpark. They are there to stay

business development manager tiktok

The Chicago Cubs will start their tenth spring training season at Mesa’s Sloan Park on Feb. 23 and the MLB franchise plans to continue its presence in the East Valley city for another decade.

The team first played a spring training game in 1952, launching a decades-long partnership with Mesa. In the mid-aughts, the future of the Cubs in Mesa was uncertain, leading the city to invest millions of dollars to keep the team.

Since then, Cubs spring training games have been the highest-attended games nearly every year. Last season the team averaged 13,770 attendees per game followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks .

In 2023, a study with the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business found that the season generated $710.2 million in total economic activity.

Mesa is also the only city in the Cactus League with two stadiums. Sloan Park is the largest spring training facility in Major League Baseball.

Justin Piper, general manager of Spring Training operations of the park, said the organization is very happy with the Mesa facility and that the Cubs have made several investments and improvements to the park since 2014.

The 10-year anniversary is an "important milestone" for the team, he said.

Cubs pitchers and catchers report to practice Wednesday with the full squad practice on Monday. The Cubs will face off against their archrivals the White Sox in the first game of the season on Feb. 23 and they'll end the season against their other rivals the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals will make a rare Cactus League appearance in a two-game series on Monday, March 25 and Tuesday, March 26 at Sloan Park.

Why the Cubs almost left Arizona and how Mesa kept them

The Cubs made Mesa its Spring Training home in the 1950s at Rendezvous Park which was later replaced with Hohokam Park. That park in turn was demolished and reconstructed in 1997 as a stadium with a more than 12,000 seat capacity.

Even with that capacity, the team was outgrowing its stadium, City Manager Chris Brady told The Arizona Republic.

In 2009, the team began throwing hints it would move to the Grapefruit League in Florida after a new owner took over the Cubs, but Mesa was set on keeping them in the Cactus League.

“We felt like for many years, for generations the Cubs have been identified as being a part of Mesa,” Brady said.

That prompted the city to put together a plan to keep the Cubs in Mesa. That included building a new stadium with a bigger capacity.  

To do that, the city needed voter approval. Mesa residents overwhelmingly approved the measure, with 64% voting yes.

Mesa sold more than 11,000 acres of Pinal County farmland the city purchased in the 1980s for its water rights for $135 million. Those funds paid for the construction of Sloan Park and renovations of Hohokam Stadium.

Mesa spent about $99 million on Sloan Park and another $17.5 million on Hohokam Stadium.

Since the ballpark along Center Street was vacated, a year later the Oakland A’s moved from Phoenix to Mesa.

A spur of development

Brady said the baseball team is part of the city’s brand and has helped attract economic development.

From a sales tax perspective, Brady described it as the city’s “second Christmas.”

The ballpark has been the catalyst of economic development in the area around Sloan Park, Brady said. Last year, the city council approved a four-story apartment complex next to the stadium on six acres, marking the first multi-family housing development in the area.

Tik Tok concert put Sloan Park on the map

The Sloan Park name went national in December when the video social media platform TikTok hosted its first global music event.

TikTok in the Mix included headliners like Niall Horan, Cardi B, Peso Pluma among other big name artists. The event drew a sold-out crowd of 17,000 and 9.6 million viewers who watched the show live on the platform, according to data from Visit Mesa, a tourism marketing firm.

The music festival signaled that park organizers are looking at new programming outside of baseball-adjacent events.

Piper, the park's general manager, said he learned a lot from that experience and gave them new ideas on how to make it a music venue. He said they continue to look for more events outside of baseball to host at Sloan Park.

"We want to see another 2 million people walk through the doors" over the next 10 years, Piper said.

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at   [email protected]  or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter:   @maritzacdom .

an image, when javascript is unavailable

site categories

Hollywood & media deaths in 2024: photo gallery & obituaries, breaking news.

Tik Tok Slapped With Sex Discrimination & Retaliation Suit By Former Marketing Exec; Claims ByteDance Boss Wants Women Docile & Meek

By Dominic Patten

Dominic Patten

Senior Editor, Legal & TV Critic

More Stories By Dominic

  • George Santos Slaps Jimmy Kimmel & Disney With Irony-Free Fraud Suit Over Cameo Pranks & “Deliberate Deception”
  • ‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President’ Directors Say The Fight For Democracy In Uganda Is Ongoing – Contenders Film: The Nominees
  • Adam Bold Blasts “Smear Campaign” By A3 Execs & “Greedy” Lawyer Over Claims Of Drug Use, Sexual Harassment

business development manager tiktok

Tik Tok may be a major source of news for people under 30, but the ByteDance -owned social media platform has today been accused of living in the 1950s and worse when it comes to women in the workplace.  

Related Stories

BBC, TikTok

TikTok Fined $16M By UK Commissioner Over Children's Data Breaches

business development manager tiktok

Cannes & TikTok Have Renewed Their Partnership, But Could That Change Amid The Crackdown On The App?

“After Ms. Puris—one of the most senior female executives in the United States—was invited to attend and participate in bi-weekly meetings with Lidong Zhang, the Chairman of ByteDance, she was subjected to disparate treatment and ultimately unlawfully terminated because Lidong Zhang and other corporate executives determined that Ms. Puris lacked the docility and meekness specifically required of female employees,” the jury seeking filing states.

READ THE SEX DISCRIMINATION & RETALIATION LAWSUIT AGAINST TIK TOK HERE

In a tick tock of a different nature, Puris’ suit details the circumstances and conditions of her three years at Tik Tok — and it certainly reads like Mad Men without any of the wit. After numerous alleged putdowns and dismissive reactions to her by ByteDance boss Zhang, Puris was told to stay quiet about said incidents and not even speak in company meetings anymore. Once the exec learned that she was on the Beijing-based Zhang’s “kill list,” that her immediate team were under pressure “to make negative comments about her,” lamented the long workday “996 culture, the ongoing “micromanagement,” the overall treatment of female staffer and a supposed drunk come-on by an ad exec, and more, Puris asserts she had enough.

Then the hammer came down.

“Just days later, Ms. Puris was fired for ‘performance reasons,” the nine claim action say. “Pappas delivered the news of Ms. Puris’ firing, which was unusual because she was no longer Ms. Puris’ manager and the performance cycle had not been completed,” it continues of the interaction with Tik Tok COO Vanessa Pappas. “TikTok never addressed Ms. Puris’ previous protected activity. “

A former Google and Facebook executive, Puris is asking for a variety of damages, as well as an “injunction and order permanently restraining Defendants from engaging in such unlawful conduct.”

Tik Tok declined to comment on today’s lawsuit when contacted by Deadline. 

Must Read Stories

Annie awards ceremony underway (live winners list).

business development manager tiktok

Is Sarah Snook Heading To Broadway With Epic Oscar Wilde Classic?

‘marley: one love’ lively ups $46m frame; ‘madame web’ eyes $24m, adam bold rips “smear campaign” by a3 execs & lawyer over claims.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Read More About:

No comments.

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Quantcast

IMAGES

  1. TİKTOK BUSİNESS MANAGER KURULUMU NASIL YAPILIR ? #tiktokreklamları

    business development manager tiktok

  2. 🔴 How to use TikTok for Business [ Step by Step TUTORIAL + Marketing Strategy ]

    business development manager tiktok

  3. ¿Qué es TikTok Business Manager? 2024

    business development manager tiktok

  4. How to Use TikTok for Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

    business development manager tiktok

  5. How to create Tiktok Ads Manager and Business Center

    business development manager tiktok

  6. Introducing TikTok For Business

    business development manager tiktok

COMMENTS

  1. Business Development Manager/Senior Manager

    View our opening for Business Development Manager/Senior Manager and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok

  2. Business Development Manager, Global Entertainment

    The Business Development Manager is someone who enjoys synthesizing the overarching Entertainment vertical strategy into actionable partnerships that secure differentiated access to content,...

  3. TikTok hiring Business Development Manager

    Business Development Manager - Enterprise Partnership and Solutions TikTok San Jose, CA Join or sign in to find your next job Join to apply for the Business Development Manager -...

  4. Business Development Manager, Content Business Development

    View our opening for Business Development Manager, Content Business Development and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok

  5. SMB New Business Development Manager at TikTok

    - Build and manage a pipeline of business - Consult with decision makers and align TikTok Ads strategies with identified marketing and business objectives - Onboard new clients onto the TikTok Ads Platform and set them up for long-term success - Consistently reach or exceed performance goals, whilst delivering a best-in-class experience to clients

  6. Business Development Manager, Global Entertainment at TikTok

    The Global Entertainment is the content vertical that aligns the Strategy, Business Development, Partner Management, and Program Management functions to articulate and execute TikTok's Global Entertainment strategy with the operational assistance of local teams in all markets. The Business Development Manager is someone who enjoys synthesizing ...

  7. TikTok Shop

    The Business Development Manager - Food & Beverage (SMB) role is responsible for identifying and onboarding high-potential Food & Beverage sellers, prioritizing accounts that illustrate virality ...

  8. TikTok Business Development Manager Salaries

    Salary Details for a Business Development Manager at TikTok Updated Oct 15, 2023 United States Brazil Indonesia Singapore United Kingdom United States Any Experience Any Experience 0-1 Years 1-3 Years 4-6 Years 7-9 Years 10-14 Years 15+ Years Total Pay Estimate & Range Confident Total Pay Range $142K - $232K / yr Base Pay

  9. SMB New Business Development Manager

    View our opening for SMB New Business Development Manager and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok

  10. TikTok Shop

    The Business Development Manager - Fashion (SMB) role is responsible for identifying and onboarding high-potential Fashion sellers, prioritizing accounts that illustrate virality or trend-right positioning. - Develop business development growth strategies that align with overall TikTok Shop strategies and drive awareness, acquisition, and revenue.

  11. Join TikTok

    Disclosure. English. ©. View our opening for SMB New Business Development Manager and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok.

  12. TikTok Business Center

    1. Register Register on Business Center, or through the dedicated registration link provided by your TikTok representative. 2. Collaborate Set up two or more admins and invite your teams and partners to join. 3. Create and share Create, request access, and share campaign assets. 4. Performance

  13. Business Suite

    Discover how to grow your brand and reach new audiences with TikTok Business Suite, the ultimate tool for creating, managing, and analyzing your TikTok campaigns.

  14. TikTok Business Center

    Your one-stop workplace in TikTok For Business. Collaborate with your business partners and manage users, finances, and assets to gain bigger business success. ... Start advertising on TikTok Ads Manager today to drive real business results. ...

  15. Kevin Lau

    Business Development Manager @TikTok | Person San Gabriel, California, United States. 347 followers 340 connections See your mutual connections. View mutual connections with Kevin ...

  16. TikTok For Business

    TikTok Ads Manager provides the tools you need to create and manage ads on TikTok. It also offers access to a global audience across both TikTok and our family of other apps. You don't need any expertise to get started - it only takes a few minutes. Create Now. Step 1.

  17. TikTok Business Center

    Your one-stop workplace in TikTok For Business. Collaborate with your business partners and manage users, finances, and assets to gain bigger business success.

  18. TikTok Business Development Manager salaries: How much does a TikTok

    Average TikTok Business Development Manager yearly pay in London, England is approximately £57,050, which is 51% above the national average. Salary information comes from 3 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

  19. TikTok For Business

    Reach diverse audiences around the world through TikTok For Business, an all-in-one marketing solutions platform. Getting started. Solutions Inspiration. Learning & resources. What's new. EN-US. Create Now . Company . About TikTok. ByteDance.com. TikTok.com. TikTok Affiliates. TikTok Careers. TikTok for Good. Safety. Products ...

  20. Creator Network Business Development Manager, TikTok LIVE

    Responsibilities TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York ...

  21. Chicago Cubs start 10th spring training season at Mesa's Sloan Park

    The Chicago Cubs will start their tenth spring training season at Mesa's Sloan Park on Feb. 23 and the MLB franchise plans to continue its presence in the East Valley city for another decade.

  22. Business Development Manager

    View our opening for Business Development Manager and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok

  23. Leopards Courier Services on Instagram: "We're thrilled to have been

    37 likes, 1 comments - leopardscourier on February 7, 2024: "We're thrilled to have been part of the grand inauguration of @beautywallet1 Women's Salon at..."

  24. Tik Tok Sex Discrimination Lawsuit: ByteDance Boss Wanted ...

    Tik Tok may be a major source of news for people under 30, but the ByteDance-owned social media platform has today been accused of living in the 1950s and worse when it comes to women in the ...

  25. LIVE Agency Business Development Manager

    View our opening for LIVE Agency Business Development Manager and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok.

  26. Business Development Manager (e-commerce)

    View our opening for Business Development Manager (e-commerce) and learn more about what it's like to work at TikTok