When the contract expired at the end of the 2002 season, the Royals moved all of their spring training and rookie league operations to Surprise, Arizona, where a brand new $20 million park was being built and offered to any team willing to leave Florida.
The Royals' decision to relocate their spring training and rookie league operations to Surprise, Arizona, in 2002 was driven by the expiration of their contract with Florida and the availability of a new $20 million park. This move provided other teams with an opportunity to relocate from Florida.