The state has already pledged $100 million for road andinfrastructure work and has indicated to the team that it is notprepared to pledge additional funds. Under the legislation passedthis summer, the Red Sox are responsible for all cost overrunsassociated with the project. The team has emphasized that it iscommitted to remaining in Fenway, and team officials have statedthat they will ensure that the team is in Fenway before the Red Soxare sold to new owners.

Local groups opposed to a new Fenway Park insist that that sitecan never be economically feasible because of the high cost of landin the city and because the team has failed to buy out any of thebusiness owners on the site of the proposed new ballpark. The cityhas agreed to provide $140 million to acquire the ballpark site butthe land costs could go up to $200 million.

The suggestion of a new ballpark near the South Bostonwaterfront has been met with resistance from local politicians,such as Mayor Thomas M. Menino and US Representative J. JosephMoakley. Menino has emphasized that the Boston RedevelopmentAuthority studied over 20 sites in the city and rejected all ofthem due to traffic, parking, lack of access to mass transit andthe need to relocate businesses or residents among otherproblems.