A spokeswoman for Simpson confirmed that he and other Pasco County state legislators would consider seeking state aid for a proposed training site, depending on the details.. Required fields are marked *. Let's be real. It would work out, believe me it will. Legacy: Montreal once had the Expos. Residents of Dunedin, the Florida governor's "blue-collar" hometown, are split on whether his values mirror the city's. Yes. The Grizzlies were 27th in NBA attendance, but this is largely due to their struggles during the regular season. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. The Rays will likely not be able to use TD Ameritrade Park though because of the minor league teams in the city, plus it can only fit around 24,000 fans. "Following a joint assessment of the . Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. December 2, 2022 in Grapefruit League Teams, Tampa Bay Rays. The Trailblazers, in thick and thin (mostly thin in the last few decades), have stuck by them, and the Portland Timbers, a new MLS franchise, is making soccer viable in the US in at least one section of the country. It might be easier to root for the Red Sox or Yankees if you live in Connecticut, but I just have a gut feeling a Hartford team would be a resounding success. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. This scenario seems perfect for an in-state move. Related: Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory. How awesome would a brand new baseball stadium look near the Las Vegas strip? It's time for the Rays to move the franchise to a city where they can gain the support they need to continue as one of the AL's best teams for years to come. | Powered By: Web Seo Wiz. The Oakland Athletics are packing their bags for Las Vegas, a long-expected move that will affect far more baseball fans than in those two cities. A playoff game. The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. Uncover why Tampa Bay Rays is the best company for you. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. On a personal note, I am a Rays fan living outside of Florida (though born and raised in Tampa, represent!) 4/24/2023 - Tampa Bay Rays amplify the wave to capitalize on record-tying start, SBJ Spotlight: Rich McKay of AMB Sports and Entertainment, Anquan Boldin on how the Players Coalition continues to fight for social justice, Jalen Rose on being a business-minded athlete, and why NIL is good for college players, Bill Simmons on the creation of ESPNs 30 for 30 documentaries. SBJ I Factor presented by Allied Sports features an interview with Navigate founder A.J. Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a ground ball in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Charlotte Sports Park on March 29, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The move to Central Florida comes after the team's facilities in Port Charlotte were damaged by Hurricane Ian back in September. Welch said the plan should keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for the long term. Rays have the second-lowest average attendance in the MLB, only second to their in state counterparts, Speaking of the Marlins, Florida will still have a team so it wont be like Florida is completely isolated from Baseball, The Marlins have a brand spanking new stadium, wheras the Rays are in need of a new home anyway with their stadium being 29 years old, 4. Move the Tampa Rays to Memphis. Once the Rays, who started training in Port Charlotte after its first American League Championship in 2008, arrived, Doherty said people would recognize that was where the team hosted spring training. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. The Rays will move operations from Disney to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at the beginning of March for the rest of Spring Training. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Rays to open upper deck for Yankees series in May, Rays lefty Josh Fleming finds his role as the bulk guy, Rays add bullpen depth in reacquiring Javy Guerra from Brewers, Rays send impressive rookie pitcher Taj Bradley back to minors, Heres why Tampa Bay Rays attendance during the teams historic winning streak matters | Editorial, White Sox pay tribute to Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills, Why well know a lot more about the Rays in a month, CEO who turned Creative Pinellas into a thriving arts center is retiring, 2-year-old daughter of Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett drowns in family pool, Assembly line of Triple-A arms somehow has kept Rays atop the standings, Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter, Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, a two-time Cy Young winner, dies. City officials decided early on that the city would attempt to attract Major League Baseball. Obviously the Rays would need a new ballpark built, but the remaining fanbase in Tampa Bay is already calling for a new stadium, so this is somewhat of a moot point. The Rays could go to North Carolina, continue winning and give sports fans in the state a team they can root for in the postseason, aside from the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA tournament. One thing I can say is that Portland folks are extremely outgoing and very loyal. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. Upgrade your subscription to get all the news you need: Adding SBJ weekly content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: Adding SBJ daily content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: You have 1 All Access article remaining this month. Renderings indicate the old stadium would be demolished. Pacers fans are immensely loyal and, regardless of talent or win totals, it always seems the Pacers are blue collar and supported as such. Doherty noted that while the Stone Crabs offered some family friendly fun, the county was successful in attractingyouth tournaments to recoup some tourism dollars. There has been discussion from some investors, most notably MLB legend Nolan Ryan and his son Reid, who have both given consideration to pitching the owners on an expansion or relocation to Central Texas. Rays ownership still has a proposal for a $700 million stadium in Ybor City at their feet, and with the split-season proposal with Montreal shot down, the idea is gaining traction. The Rays Minor League camp will be based out of the Disney complex throughout Spring Training. Why? ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays will be built near the current one under plans unveiled Monday as part of a massive redevelopment project that also includes affordable housing, office space and retail in what was once a thriving Black neighborhood. Population: 335,709 Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship) Baseball . Along with other list member Charlotte, Portland was a finalist for the Expos franchise but lost out to Washington. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. 2023 Leaders Group. The Spurs were consistently in the top half of the NBA in attendance pre-pandemic, showing that San Antonio can gather fan interest, while Austin would be a fun experiment. But the infrastructure is there, in case the idea is ever there. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast, Nats Parks New BetMGM Sportsbook is Great. Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic Pat Williams has made a direct appeal to Rays management about a move to the city of Orlando. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. With Rays ownership seeming more and more likely to move out of their current spot once their lease at the dreaded Tropicana Field ends in 2027, I decided to take a look at some possible cities in the United States the Rays could possibly end up. The Rays have played at the domed Tropicana Field since their inaugural 1998 season but have considered moving elsewhere, such as neighboring Tampa, amid consistently low attendance. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. There have also been professional leagues but, if substantial, it was back in the 19th century. The Charlotte Stone Crabs enjoyed an 11-year run in Charlotte County. 5. Click below to sign in. The Titans and Predators have no issues with attendance and are immensely popular in the region, while Nashville also had the, highest economic growth of any American city in 2021. . Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month. That's an extra 25,000 and a total attendance of 43,000-plus. So, even if the Rays do end up making the. The Rays use the facility on a year-round basis for extended spring training, complex and instructional league play, and mini-camps. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Legacy: Charlotte has never been much of a baseball town. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays are relocating their spring base for 2023 due to extensive damage to team training facilities caused by Hurricane Ian. ST. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. But as for baseball, Indianapolis has the AAA affiliate for the usually awful Pittsburgh Pirates. I decided to list 5 cities, one for each of the times a baseball flew into the Tropicana catwalks during the postseason over the years. The Rays' current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp," a spokesperson wrote in an email to 10 Tampa Bay. The Trop was built as a hockey arena, and even the Lightning found it wasnt as suitable for it, moving to the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. They have a temporary stadium that could possibly be upgraded. So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Tampa Bay Rays moving spring training site due to hurricane damage Skip to main content Skip to navigation > ESPN Search You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions,. With the Rays relocating, there were minor changes made to the Grapefruit League schedule, which MLB announced on Wednesday: Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on Feb. 14, with early arrivals slated for Feb. 6. Will Charlotte get MLB team? One of the drawbacks, however, would be the very low population. ST. PETERSBURG The Rays on Thursday made official what had seemed likely, that their 2023 spring training camp will be relocated from Port Charlotte due to damage to the facility caused by . Related to that, and with a potential move there by the Rays, you'd have instant rivalry potential with the Seattle Mariners. Like Indy, I find the market perfect due to the population numbers and lack of in-city competition during the high-ratings portions of the leagues but see the fan expectations as an issue. The Rays have been their prime candidate, considering their desire for a new stadium and less than spectacular attendance figures in Tampa Bay. The Indiana Pacers are floundering at the moment, which would provide the Rays with an opening to win over the Indianapolis fanbase. That being said, lets get to it! Is it likely? There has been discussion from some investors. If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. Sure, the Expos had their legal fights, and they have their legal fans, but does a Tampa franchise struggling with attendance and stadium issues want to go back to the same problem but this time in a country that might be indifferent? In2014, the new stadium, which included a boardwalk food area behind the outfield fence and a grass berm seating area, was named the No. 49 print issues delivered to your home or office. Details remain to be worked out over the next several years, including how to finance the project among the Rays, the city, Pinellas County and other entities. The plan calls for a new domed stadium to be ready for the 2028 season opener; the Rays' current stadium lease is up in 2027. They have a stadium and entertainment area proposal, a section on the citys baseball history and their Negro League ties, and an entire group of investors. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season., The Rays announced earlier this month that they would not be able to host spring training at their facility in Port Charlotte because repairs to their complex could not be made in time for spring training. After Tampa was awarded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 1970s, St. Petersburg decided it wanted a share of the professional sports scene in Tampa Bay. Here is a look at seven cities that could benefit from the addition of a major league franchise, in this case, the Tampa Bay Rays. Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. QUIZ: Which Member of the 2021 Washington Nationals Are You? The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. Learn More. Keep in mind I mostly avoided cities that were too far away from St. Petersburg, because many of those scenarios are far-fetched, and it seems like the Athletics are moving to Vegas anyway, with other Western cities like Portland and Vancouver being expansion options. and our Charlotte, N.C. 2 of 5 Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh said that the team also made other ticket pricing adjustments around their ballpark to make sure that folks who maybe tuned in to the evening news and caught wind of what was happening here, that if they went to our website they could find some tickets, if not for $10, maybe within close proximity to that (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/24 issue). Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. Maestas talks with SBJs Abe Madkour about the early days of Navigate, which he said he founded with too little knowledge, though good fortune as far as timing made up for my mistakes. Maestas traces his career path and personal development, and highlights the attributes and practices that he believes help make a successful business person and human being. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Trop was built as a hockey arena, and even the Lightning found it wasn't as suitable for it, moving to the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. Why are the Rays in St Pete? With the Reams lease at the Trop ending in 2027, Williams pitched to the team in 2020 an entire proposal fleshed out for a Rays move, including a $1.2 billion dollar stadium, corporate sponsorships and possible support from Disney, and the numbers, that show how Orange County collects triple the tourist taxes of Pinellas and Hillsborough, where St. Petersburg and Tampa sit, respectively. Tampa Bay Rays. All rights reserved.The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. In Charlotte, the team would be missed, Doherty said, but admitted that the loss of the Stone Crabs proved to be a dress rehearsal for that possibility. The Titans and Predators have no issues with attendance and are immensely popular in the region, while Nashville also had the highest economic growth of any American city in 2021. The city has a very high population and has quite a large media market as well, which would help promote the Rays and perhaps sell out more than just one game per year. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. The Tampa Bay Rays will be seeking a temporary spring training site after determining Charlotte Sports Park damage caused by Hurricane Ian was too extensive for camp in 2023. Population: 567,641 (28th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: None. Analysis: With the Tampa Bay area splitting residents up all over the place, an increase in population could work in the Rays favor if they moved to Charlotte. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season.. I think the loyal sports followers would go, but I think the biggest problem would be how spoiled the fans would be. Here are five cities that would likely be great fits for the Rays. Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. Analysis: I'm not joking when I put this as my choice. At first, it seems like an odd move for the Tampa Bay Rays to abandon one of the cushiest spring-training setups in baseball and leave scenic Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg for a spring-training site once abandoned by the Texas Rangers. Legacy: The Portland Beavers have been a AAA affiliate (or minor league affiliate in some capacity) since the beginning of the 20th century. Charlotte County spokesman Brian Gleason said via email that Charlotte County has enjoyed partnering with the Tampa Bay Rays on their spring training camp and player development program since 2009. Rays' early-season success leads to attendance bump. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. Download our app, Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Charlotte Sports Park sustained water and electrical damage, Rays updated Sprint Training schedule released, Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Rays to open Spring Traiing 2023 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, Rays beging Spring Training Feb. 14; will move operations to Tropicana Field March 1 and play games at Tropicana Field. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. 'Believe in the power of cheese': How a group of rookies helped give the Brewers the best vibes in baseball, Fantasy baseball: Load up on San Diego bats this weekend. Because Charlotte is another example of a city that would be better off receiving an expansion franchise than an exported Rays franchise that would probably have to change its name to something more relevant. The Rays currently play in St. Petersburg which is, at first glance, right "next to" Tampa (though, to be fair, part of the Tampa Bay area and the Rays are the Tampa BAY Rays). Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). Divisions will stay the same, because the move from Tampa to Charlotte keeps the team on the East coast no rearranging of divisions would be necessary 6. Divisions will stay the same, because the move from Tampa to Charlotte keeps the team on the East coast no rearranging of divisions would be necessary, 6. However, there's no . The Rays "seem to be connecting with their base even as they scour both sides of the bay for a new home," as the team prior to last night had not lost at home and had "yet to draw a crowd of less than 10,000," according to Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY. Can this problem be solved with money and a stadium move to Tampa proper? Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. The city has experimented with five different minor league baseball teams since 1903 with limited success. CHARLOTTE COUNTY Sean Doherty, director of tourism for the Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, can recall when the area's name recognition increasedafter the Tampa Bay Rays moved theirspring training headquarters to Charlotte Sports Park. The Rays declined through an email from a team spokesman to comment further. Firstly, one has to know that Nashville has an entire website dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. "We are solely focused on the Sister City plan and keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay for generations," said Rays' president Brian Auld. Oh, and they have been doing all this while remaining in the bottom third of the MLB's payroll rankings. Walt Disney World Resort said its looking forward to providing. The mayor's grandfather ran a woodyard business there before the neighborhood was essentially obliterated by Tropicana Field. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. The Rays have trained since 2009 in Port Charlotte, Florida, about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, and intend to explore several options before making a . However, the key stat here, is the Rays television audience. Tampa Bay Rays will use Disney, Tropicana Field as temporary spring training locations. Cookie Notice So is it their time yet? In this story: Raiders owner Mark Davis knows a thing or two about moving a team from Oakland to Las Vegas. Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic. But This is What You Should Have Expected, Mocking the Nationals Offseason, Early Postseason Edition, Mr. Soto or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Washington Nationals, Nats Prospects or: The Art of Tempering Expectations. ", Plan outlined for new Rays park, redevelopment, Harper may return Tue., 160 days post-TJ surgery, Rangers ace deGrom 'frustrated' to land on IL, Twins will shut P Mahle down for at least 4 weeks, Cards broadcaster, 2-time champ Shannon dies, Giants' Yastrzemski (hamstring) likely IL-bound, Yankees to evaluate Judge's hip strain Monday, Mexico City's uphill climb toward landing an MLB franchise. Two proposals shepherded by the previous mayor were scrapped last year by Welch, who sought to focus more on affordable housing and job opportunities at the Gas Plant District. However, as a former resident, I will add that even during the WORST of times with both the Bucs and Lightning, there were very dedicated fans that came). The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. There are already 2 teams in Texas that have been there for a long time (Astros since 1962, Rangers since 1971), and they have taken up the majority of the fan interest. A. . The Tampa Bay Rays still went by the name Devil Rays in August 2006, when they signed a 20-year spring training lease with Charlotte County for Charlotte Sports Park . Period. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. The Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. Las Vegas has already lost out on the Sacramento Kings who decided to stay put and the Phoenix Coyotes decision to keep their franchise in its current location. But why isnt it the first option? Archived post. the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. "We think Tampa is a major league market and we want to find a solution that makes the club economically viable in that market," Manfred said then. But while sports is a passion for most of us, for the select few who own and operate a sports franchise, it is a stressful business, and sometimes the product has to go where a demanding market wants it. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. Analysis: Baseball can work in Texas. Find out what works well at Tampa Bay Rays from the people who know best. Locally, the Pittsburgh Pirates host spring training at LECOM Park at 1611 9th Street W., Bradenton, but the minor leaguers train a few miles east at Pirate City. Nashville's pursuit of an MLB franchise might be gaining steam, if a Tampa City Council member is to be believed. The Spurs have been world class forwellever it seems. Tampa, while a great city, is not exactly a great sports town, even during the best of times (the Bucs and Lightning have won championships but consistent attendance is a problem.