Raimondo calls for PawSox action from the House

(Updated at 5:30 p.m. to correct to “Senate” in second paragraph.)

PROVIDENCE – At a late Friday afternoon press event, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo called on the House and its speaker, Nicholas A. Mattiello, to review the deal on the table and keep the PawSox in Rhode Island.

“The House needs to do its job” and “at least consider” the deal approved by the Senate, she said, adding: “I’m not sure what more I can do at this point.”

Mattiello’s spokesman, Larry Berman, told Providence Business News in an interview Friday that the speaker, Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien and Pawtucket House members met with the team’s administration on March 5, but there has been “no movement” on the proposed deal since.

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When asked if she has been in touch with the PawSox management, Raimondo said neither she nor anyone from her the executive office has communicated with the team. However, she added, R.I. Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor has been the one to have more frequent communication with the team in recent months.

A representative for Pryor did not immediately return a request for comment.

Raimondo is concerned that PawSox administration is not “bluffing” regarding their claims of speaking with representatives in Worcester, Mass. – a city which has expressed interest in sponsoring the relocation of the team.

Raimondo said she has “publicly and privately urged the legislature to pass” the deal and that it would be “really sad if we lost the PawSox.”

Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.