Major League Baseball

If Phillies win World Series, who would pay for parade?

Published Oct. 13, 2010 10:13 a.m. ET

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This is the question no one wants to ask, but here it goes anyway: If the Phillies go all the way, who will pay for the parade?

In 2008, the city paid a little more than $1 million in police overtime, street cleaning and medical service for the victory romp down Broad Street after the Phillies beat Tampa Bay in the World Series. The cost was lessened by $300,000 contributed by about 22 organizations.

But last year, Mayor Nutter said he told the Phillies the city couldn't afford another parade, after suffering severe budget cuts. Ultimately, of course, it became a non-issue.

So what's Nutter's position this year, especially with his re-election campaign just months away? A resounding "no comment" was delivered by his press office.

And a spokeswoman for the Phillies played it cool.

"The Phillies have not had any discussions with the Mayor's Office about a parade or expenses, but we look forward to the possibility of those discussions at an appropriate time," spokeswoman Bonnie Clark wrote in an e-mail.

The fear of a jinx runs deep.

If the Phillies emerge victorious, would Nutter try to put his foot down this year and ask the team to pay? It would likely be a controversial move going into an election year, no matter what state the city's finances are in.

Also, the city's negotiation with the team could be more complicated this year, under a new law governing parades and special events. In June, Council overrode Nutter's veto of a law that requires the city to pay police costs for parades and other special events.

To help the city's 10 ethnic parades and festivals, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady set up the Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund with a $500,000 contribution from philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest. Officials are expected to announce today that the fund will spend $300,000 to help cover much of those 10 events' costs from 2009 through 2012.

In its annual review of baseball teams, Forbes in April put the Phillies' worth at $537 million - including the value of Citizens Bank Park - making them the sixth-richest team in baseball. The team's value team increased by 8 percent over 2009, according to Forbes. *

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