Maumee Parkour Facility Denied Sports Grant Amid Legal Uncertainty

Monkey Business Parkour owner says the facility needs a larger space to safely host growing competitions and events.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:18pm

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Monkey Business Parkour in Maumee, Ohio was denied a $10,000 grant from the state's $400 million sports facility program due to the facility not primarily serving a major or minor league professional sports team. The owner, Dakota Naiman, says the facility needs a larger space to safely host growing parkour competitions and events, but the state budget law currently excludes facilities like his. Meanwhile, a state court has blocked the overall sports facility grant program due to concerns over the use of unclaimed funds, while a federal court has ruled differently on the program.

Why it matters

The denial of funding for Monkey Business Parkour highlights the legal uncertainty surrounding Ohio's new sports facility grant program, which was intended to support a range of athletic venues but has faced legal challenges over the use of unclaimed funds. The case also shines a light on the growing popularity of parkour and the need for appropriate facilities to host competitions and events for this emerging sport.

The details

Monkey Business Parkour applied for $10,000 in grant funding to upgrade safety mats, flooring, and a foam pit at its facility in Maumee. However, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management denied the application, stating that the facility 'does not primarily function as a venue for a major or minor league professional sports team' as required by the budget law. Owner Dakota Naiman says the facility hosts events for the Sport Parkour League, but this was not enough to qualify for the state funding. Two other northwest Ohio entities, the village of New London and the Sandusky Base Bandits, were also denied funding for similar reasons.

  • On March 13, 2026, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management denied Monkey Business Parkour's grant application.
  • On March 14, 2026, a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas magistrate blocked the overall $400 million sports facility grant program with a preliminary injunction.

The players

Dakota Naiman

The owner of Monkey Business Parkour in Maumee, Ohio.

Kim Murnieks

The Director of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, who denied Monkey Business Parkour's grant application.

Marc Dann

A former Ohio Attorney General representing the plaintiffs challenging the sports facility grant program.

Jeff Crossman

A former state Representative representing the plaintiffs challenging the sports facility grant program.

Paula Hicks-Hudson

An Ohio State Senator who testified as a witness for the plaintiffs challenging the sports facility grant program.

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What they’re saying

“After a review of your application, it appears that your facility is primarily a gym for local athletes and students. As your facility does not primarily function as a venue for a major or minor league professional sports team, your application does not meet the eligibility criteria.”

— Kim Murnieks, Director, Ohio Office of Budget and Management

“The court recognized that the state cannot simply declare private property abandoned and take title to it without constitutional safeguards. The injunction ensures that billions of dollars belonging to Ohio citizens remain protected until the constitutional questions we raised are fully resolved.”

— Jeff Crossman, Former State Representative

What’s next

The judge in the state court case will decide whether to make the preliminary injunction permanent, which would block the state from distributing any of the $400 million in sports facility grants. Meanwhile, the federal court ruling affirming the denial of a preliminary injunction may be appealed.

The takeaway

The legal uncertainty surrounding Ohio's new sports facility grant program highlights the challenges of using public funds for private sports projects, especially when those funds come from unclaimed private property. The case of Monkey Business Parkour also underscores the need for appropriate facilities to support the growing popularity of emerging sports like parkour.