Cobb Commissioners Will Not Spend $2M For MLB All-Star Expenses

COBB COUNTY, GA — Cobb County commissioners will not spend the $2 million in recently-approved security and transportation expenses for Major League Baseball's All-Star Game after MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred pulled the game from Truist Park last Friday.

Cobb County had only spent about $30,000 of the $2 million it approved at the March 24 board of commissioners meeting, and officials canceled this purchase Monday, Cobb spokesperson Ross Cavitt said. The purchase was for police department equipment.

Even though MLB moved the game to another state over Georgia's new voting law, Cobb Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid said the county may be interested in keeping some of the money, according to the Marietta Daily Journal.

The largest expense being considered for keeping is a real-time crime center for Cobb Police headquarters, budgeted at $575,000 from the $2 million in All-Star expenses. Cavitt said he anticipates commissioners will take action to return the $2 million back to county coffers, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In addition to the $2 million approved in March, Cobb commissioners approved $300,000 for Cobb Travel & Tourism in December, which would have covered the cost of renting the Cobb Galleria for satellite events and promotions for the game. Cobb Commissioner Keli Gambrill said this money was intended to be used as an advance on Cobb Travel & Tourism's annual budget, per the MDJ.

SEE ALSO:

• MLB All Star Game: Cobb Commissioners OK $2M In Safety Measures
  
• Kemp Says MLB Caved To Fear In Moving All-Star Game From Atlanta