Stadium vote means Diablos have to leave Cohen Stadium

The El Paso Diablos have been playing at Cohen Stadium for more than two decades in Northeast El Paso.

But in what many are calling a historic decision, the Diablos are going to have to find a new home.

Tuesday afternoon, City Council approved the building of a new ballpark Downtown, making way for a minor league Triple-A baseball team.

In another decision by City Council, a non-compete clause will force the Diablos out of El Paso.

The independent league franchise will have to leave Cohen by the end of its lease in 2016.

During public comment at Tuesday’s council meeting, Lieutenant Governor of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tigua Tribe, Carlos Hisa said it’s a decision they saw coming.

“We’re looking at this as business decision that we were left out of,” said Hisa.

The Tigua Tribe took ownership of the Diablos in 2011.

City representatives Carl Robinson, Eddie Holguin and Emma Acosta voted against the non-compete clause.

Robinson said City Council would be taking away about 250 jobs at Cohen Stadium.
Former owner of the Diablos, Jim Paul, who supports minor league baseball in El Paso, said it was a good move for City Council.

“They (council) may in fact be doing the Diablos a favor because who’s going to go out and see them play when you have AAA baseball here,” said Paul.

The non-compete clause also stated the City will not be able to develop, finance or facilitate any other outdoor concert venue in Downtown El Paso.

The only exception would be a Major League Soccer stadium, which is one item on a quality of life bond election set for later this year.

The City also cannot operate any facility for affiliated of independent baseball.