MESA, AZ -- The Gila River Indian tribe would like to add the Chicago Cubs to its entertainment portfolio of casinos, a wild west theme park, golf course and resort hotel.
The tribe is making a pitch to Cubs to move its spring training from Mesa to the Indian nation south of Phoenix.
Members of the tribe recently traveled to Chicago to speak with Cubs management, which Mesa has also done in the wake of the team saying it is in the market for a new spring training facility.
Mesa has tried to discourage other Phoenix area cities from trying to lure the Cubs.
Mesa is also dueling with cities in Florida that would love to land the Cubs and the fan base the team attracts during spring training.
A study commissioned by Mesa showed the state would lose $52 million a year if the Cubs left Mesa.
