> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Avula to Squirrels’ owner: Stop suing and start negotiating - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/avula-to-squirrels-owner-stop-suing-and-start-negotiating/ - Published: 2026-09-03T20:10:03.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-03T21:27:57.000Z - Description: The Richmond Flying Squirrels and VCU missed a deadline set in May to resolve a contract issue over the Rams’ baseball team playing at CarMax Park. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Local News, #lead The Richmond Flying Squirrels and VCU missed a deadline set in May to resolve a contract issue over the Rams’ baseball team playing at CarMax Park. Last week, the Richmond Economic Development Authority sent VCU [a new contract](https://richmondeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026.08.27-EDA-Board-Meeting-Agenda-Packet.pdf) that changes the deadline from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, “to allow more time for the execution of the Use Agreement” with the Squirrels. The extension means that VCU will likely not conduct its fall baseball practices and “fall ball” games at the stadium, though the extension reaffirms that the Rams wish to play their games next spring at CarMax Park. The dispute is one of many things that has angered Flying Squirrels owner Lou DiBella during a tumultuous first season at the new baseball stadium. DiBella added to his previous defamation lawsuit against Diamond District developer Thalhimer Realty Partners, accusing the project’s lead developer, Jason Guillot, of intentionally leaking a memo about a heated exchange with DiBella in order to damage DiBella’s reputation. The amended complaint, [as reported Thursday morning by Richmond BizSense](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/09/03/squirrels-owner-accuses-diamond-district-developer-of-leaking-opening-night-memo-to-press-in-latest-defamation-complaint/), also adds Richmond Mayor Danny Avula to the proceedings. Avula gave a pointed comment to BizSense for the article. “I’m not sure why I’m getting pulled into this lawsuit,” he said. “I wish the (Squirrels) would focus their energy on engaging VCU in good faith to get an agreement done, so that we can all see both the Squirrels and VCU playing baseball at CarMax Park next season.” The comments mark a shift in tone for Avula, who had previously taken the posture that things would eventually work out for all three parties. The three leaders – Avula, DiBella and VCU Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin – appeared at a ceremonial press conference in Oct. 2025 to announce they had agreed to terms over VCU and the Squirrels sharing the stadium. But those agreements were never executed, and VCU and the city ended up in a side dispute over the transfer of VCU-owned Sports Backers Stadium. Ultimately, the stadium opened without VCU as a tenant. “I think a lot of this just needs to happen between the lawyers,” Avula [told The Richmonder](https://www.richmonder.org/avula-says-hes-not-concerned-about-future-of-new-baseball-stadium/) in February. “So I’m not concerned about the future of this.” Thursday’s comments appear to mark an acknowledgement that DiBella doesn’t appear to be budging, and the that the litigation threatens to derail the larger Diamond District project if VCU is unable to vacate The Diamond, which is slated to be torn down to make way for the larger development project that will ultimately fund the baseball stadium. DiBella declined to comment when reached on Thursday. *Contact Michael Phillips at* [*mphillips@richmonder.org*](mailto:mphillips@richmonder.org)*. VCU is a sponsor of The Richmonder but was not allowed to influence or review this story. Read our editorial policy* [*here*](https://www.richmonder.org/our-policies/)*.*