The City of San Diego has given SeaWorld a deadline of September 6 to pay the outstanding balance of their rent agreement going back to 2020 and the COVID pandemic. In May 2023, the San Diego City Council the council voted in favor of filing a lawsuit. against SeaWorld 'as soon as possible.' if the past back rent, penalties and interest totaling more than $12 million wasn't paid. "Despite publicly touting record revenues as recently as last week [May 2023], SeaWorld continues to refuse to pay the over $12 million they owe the City in past due rent, penalties and interest, said Council president Sean Elo-Rivera. ”While legal action should not be necessary, I am glad the City has drawn a line in the sand and is demanding SeaWorld pay us what they owe us, " San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera said in May. SeaWorld's statement sent to CBS 8 said, “While as a matter of policy we don’t comment on potential litigation, we have enjoyed a long relationship with the City and remain hopeful that we can resolve this matter. We have partnered with the City for nearly 60 years – conducting thousands of animal rescues, numerous recycling drives and many other events. We also have paid more than $146 million in lease payments to the City of San Diego since 2010. We appreciate all the City has done and we look forward to addressing this situation.” MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-lawsuit-seaworlds-12m-back-rent/509-c3275e9f-79d7-4dd2-a71e-581325a30ab7