They had 35 years with very little success (one NLCS appearance and the best record in baseball in 1994. Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training., Added the Rays, We are all disappointed for the residents of Charlotte County and the fans there. He also knows a thing or two about the Athletics, the MLB franchise that the Raiders . Tampa Bays Major League operations will move from the Walt Disney World Resort to Tropicana Field at the beginning of March, and the Rays will play the remainder of their spring home games at the Trop. They get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. 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. One possibility could be playing their Grapefruit League games at Tropicana Field, but they would likely need a larger space with more fields to hold their workouts. The Rangers and Astros have been centerpieces of MLB for decades. Nashville's pursuit of an MLB franchise might be gaining steam, if a Tampa City Council member is to be believed. I was at the infamous David Price Tweet game last year when the Rays had a chance to clinch a playoff spot against the Orioles. 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. Related to that, and with a potential move there by the Rays, you'd have instant rivalry potential with the Seattle Mariners. The Tampa Sports Authority had researchers put together a new report on the financials of putting in a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays in Ybor City. There was significant damage and heavy flooding throughout Port Charlotte and Charlotte County after Hurricane Ian made landfall just south of Punta Gorda, Fla., on Sept. 28. The Braves used the Disney facility for 22 years, most recently in 2019, before moving their Spring Training operations to CoolToday Park in North Port. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. There is also an established baseball tradition in Omaha with the College World Series played there every year. Legacy: The Portland Beavers have been a AAA affiliate (or minor league affiliate in some capacity) since the beginning of the 20th century. Your email address will not be published. With two major franchises already in tow, one being the Bobcats with an owner in Michael Jordan, and the Panthers, who have had their share of regular season and playoff success, the idea of a MLB team in the city doesn't seem outlandish. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/G. Tampa residents Dennis Gallagher and his daughter Kate wait for the start of the Tampa Bay Rays final home spring training game last season. 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. The Rays would have to build a new ballpark, but there is no reason not to believe it would not be revered by baseball fans in the area. Why? 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. 4.26.2023. Portland folk love to rival up against their northern state rivals and a MLB showdown 10 to 15 times a year would get the fans raring to go. And while this Rays fan would be immensely sad if his home town team lost it's major league baseball franchise, there is no reason, in the worse case scenario that they DO, indeed, leave, for me to think the franchise, as changed as it would be, couldn't flourish somewhere else. The 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. 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. The broader plan includes about 5,700 housing units -- a large chunk of them to be deemed affordable -- office and retail space, 700 hotel rooms, a 2,500-seat entertainment venue and a new Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Will Charlotte get MLB team? 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. 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. So yes, these options are regional. "This selection validates all the hard work," Auld said. Baseball Legacy: Tampa and its bay area is, of course, a major player in the MLB spring training. Legacy: San Antonio is known as a basketball town with the two major franchises being the NBA and the WNBA. Renderings indicate the old stadium would be demolished. December 1, 2022. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. Lets be real. 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. Its also a decent distance from Florida. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. Period. Legacy: Montreal once had the Expos. 1 one month into the season? Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg, Florida, chose a partnership between the Rays and the Houston-based Hines development company from among four proposals to transform an 86-acre (34-hectare) downtown site where Tropicana Field now sits. The Rays and Braves played the first game ever at CoolToday Park, to close out the 2019 spring training schedule. Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. 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 have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. According to the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have almost 100,000 fans watching their games (per game) at home due to the long trek from Tampa to St. Petersburg. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bays Spring Training home since 2009. Already a subscriber? 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. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. The Rays are considering several options for a new spring base, including Tropicana Field and the Disney complex formerly used by the Braves, and hope to have a resolution in the next few weeks. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. Why? 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. When the Athletics tidy up the multi-billion-dollar details in Sin City, where they're expected to reside by the 2027 season if not sooner, a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays will be the last . The Rays play their home games at Tropicana Field as members of Major League Baseball's American League East Division.. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. The Toronto Blue Jays will now play the Rays at Tropicana Field on that date. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. I think were a good fit for them, I feel thatthey feel the same way from conversations Ive had with some of their staff over the years, Doherty said. One of the drawbacks, however, would be the very low population. 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. Attendance is always low. The Rays followed up their Cinderella season by winning 84 games in 2009 and finishing third in the AL East, which was nothing short of remarkable considering they lost 101 games in 2006. A news outlet reported in August of 2010 that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is actively pursuing a professional baseball team for the city. stories and Draft takeaways; The premise behind Wasserman Ventures; Tony Ressler's grand vision for Atlanta and early schedule highlights from an expanded CFP. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training. 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. They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. It will be a temporary return of sorts for Spring Training in downtown St. Petersburg, as the Rays played their spring home games at Al Lang Field from 1998-2008 before moving south to Port Charlotte. Required fields are marked *. The Rays will move operations from Disney to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at the beginning of March for the rest of Spring Training. The city's population ranking has shot up from 63rd to 28th since 1990, which is also another great reason to establish a professional sports team in Las Vegas. Tampa Bay Rays president Brian Auld told councilmember Charlie Miranda that . 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. Lets give Tennessee its own team instead. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bay's Spring Training home since 2009. 2023 Leaders Group. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. 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. It time to move on to more deserving cities. Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic. Rays' early-season success leads to attendance bump. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. Seattle Mariners unveil City Connect uniforms. San Antonio, despite immense basketball success, is considered small market. And while the STORY of the Rays (small fries defeating the big time spending giants) is great dramatic fodder, no one, at least in person, is seeing it. Among the 14 AL teams, the Rays have not finished any higher then ninth in attendance since 2007 and finished 12th the year of their World Series run. We are thrilled to be bringing Major League Baseball back to Walt Disney World Resort, Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports, said in a statement. "Following a joint assessment of the . Not only is it the most reasonable, but it is the most likely, at least in my opinion. Is it reasonable to assume 15 to 30 percent of the entire city would go to a baseball game. The team's AAA affiliate has not had a lot of attendance success so the expectation of fan excitement and fan attendance may need to be studied further. The city of Indianapolis already has a winning team in the Colts, but there is no reason the Rays cannot succeed in Indy as well. Along with other list member Charlotte, Portland was a finalist for the Expos franchise but lost out to Washington. 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast, Nats Parks New BetMGM Sportsbook is Great. There werent as many teams near the teams former spring training home Lake Buena Vista. The downsides of this proposal are apparent. Relocation and contraction are words no fan wants to hear, especially if it involves their beloved team. We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. The Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) have also begun to sputter. Analysis: While the legacy for baseball is not great, Indiana, and Indianapolis in particular, has a strong group of fans behind them in whatever sport they decide to follow. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. The Nationals Stink, BAD. That's an extra 25,000 and a total attendance of 43,000-plus. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Franchises/tampa-bay-rays-standings-topicana-field-tickets.aspx. 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. 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. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. The Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. Walt Disney World Resort said its looking forward to providing. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. The Rays have trained since . Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). The Rays declined through an email from a team spokesman to comment further. There isnt really an issue with this proposal. Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. The 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season is the 26th season of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise and their 16th as the Rays. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Overall, Welch said, the idea is to create a destination for people who come to Rays games, as well as build a new community. Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. For more information, please see our We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. The article I linked mentions how San Antonio is a tad crowded, and that Austin is a government city, and that a better place for a Rays stadium would be in between the cities, in a place like San Marco, or New Braunfels. 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? But, lets say the Rays come to town. 1. Following a joint assessment of the damage to Charlotte Sports Park caused by Hurricane Ian, Charlotte County and the Tampa Bay Rays have determined there is not adequate time before the Rays 2023 spring training is scheduled to begin to get the park in suitable condition to host games, the statement said. This scenario seems perfect for an in-state move. The article I linked mentions how San Antonio is a tad crowded, and that Austin is a government city, and that a better place for a Rays stadium would be in between the cities, in a place like San Marco, or New Braunfels. ST. PETERSBURG -- Unable to use the Charlotte Sports Park complex due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will hold the first phase of their Major League Spring Training camp at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex before hosting most of their Grapefruit League games at Tropicana Field. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. If the Rays played their spring training games as well as a portion of the 162-game regular season in Ybor City, the Rays would likely play the same teams they do now. , 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. Can this problem be solved with money and a stadium move to Tampa proper? 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.. Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano. Firstly, one has to know that Nashville has an entire website dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". I believe MLB put teams in the Florida region to see how they fare because they regularly had spring training like Arizona so they tested the market. Population: 807,584 (14th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers. 5. Memphis is the 19th-largest city in the United States and features the Memphis Grizzlies, whose rise from the cellar of the NBA is much similar to the Rays'. Oh, and they have been doing all this while remaining in the bottom third of the MLB's payroll rankings. Because they play somewhere accessible for the greater Tampa Bay area. The Rays also have history at The Stadium, formerly known as Champion Stadium. Orlando is a fantastic in-state option for the Rays, and it doesnt have the cumbersome cost of starting the fanbase over or getting out of a valuable TV deal across the state of Florida. We are aware of the media reports about potential relocation discussions, but were told by the Rays management they have no immediate plans to move their spring training location, he continued. Rays ownership still has a proposal for a $700 million stadium in Ybor City at their feet. City officials decided early on that the city would attempt to attract Major League Baseball. Well see, he added. Insert the Rays into Memphis, and you have a city on the rise with two very young franchises thriving on the baseball diamond and hardwood. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. Charlotte is a great city that baseball should look to expand to, but for the Rays, its not the right option. Cities like Vegas and Memphis relocation cities. On a personal note, I am a Rays fan living outside of Florida (though born and raised in Tampa, represent!) With CBA negotiations becoming even more tense, it now looks like the MLB season will not start on time, with Spring Training at the bare minimum being pushed back. While the Whalers were a popular franchise in Hartford, Hartford is just plain inexperienced at handling major league sports. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. Orlando is a smaller city than Tampa, but it gains much more tourist revenue. The Charlotte Stone Crabs enjoyed an 11-year run in Charlotte County. Legacy:Besides the two major sports of basketball and football, in which the Indianapolis crowd has been lucky to have very storied franchises with big names, Indianapolis is home to prestigious racing, WNBA, and, as of late, major college basketball success with Butler. 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. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. Legacy: Hartford is perhaps more known for its former franchise, aka The Whalers, then anything else. Last night's game drew 9,916 fans, but the average attendance through Monday marked a 57% jump "from last years low point over a similar stretch and a milestone worth noting. The Rays in 2019 "drew 22 crowds of less than 10,000, with a low of 5,786. After four consecutive playoff runs -- the most prosperous stretch in franchise history -- the locals may be responding (USA TODAY, 4/25). So is it possible? This is why the Rays rank in the bottom half for attendance (at roughly 18,000-plus per) and even then, you have a large portion being visiting fans (snow birds or local residents who hailed from other states before the Rays existed). From 1998 to 2008, the Devil Rays played their spring training games at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, just a few blocks from Tropicana Field. The Tampa Bay Rays have baseball's best offense, . Disney World visitors would pounce on the opportunity for other entertainment, similar to how the Golden Knights of the NHL built up their attendance by pouncing on bored Vegas visitors who had run out of shows to see and money to gamble away. 49 print issues delivered to your home or office. 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. The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball since 2008 when they went from being the doormat of the American League to the World Series runner-up. 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 team and county officials put out a joint statement Thursday night saying, in part, that after a joint assessment of the damage, both parties have determined there is not adequate time before the Rays 2023 spring training is scheduled to begin to get the park in suitable condition to host games. It has had a AA and AAA squad (the current incarnation is the Charlotte Knights, who are the White Sox affiliate), but most professional sports have been basketball (the former Hornets and now the Bobcats) and football (the Panthers, who despite varied success, average in the top 10 in attendance). 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. Because they play somewhere accessible for the greater Tampa Bay area. "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. 2023 Leaders Group. Other Franchises: Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts (five total championships, two Super Bowl victories), Indiana Fever. 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. Tampa, mainly, services minor league teams. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune. The Rays are locked into a lease at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg through 2027, while the lease for spring training in Port Charlotte runs through 2028. Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month. 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,. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. 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. Writers and fans STILL dont have much to talk about right now regarding baseball, but in other news, MLB finally shot down the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. It would work out, believe me it will. "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. (AP image). And even if the Rays create a mini-dynasty and win four of the next five championships, the current situation (crappy stadium, poor attendance, terrible local access) at a consistent rate will cause the owners and operators to question the viability of a Tampa franchise. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. However, at its closest, St. Pete is six to eight miles from the city of Tampa and much, much farther coming from surrounding suburbs. They have a temporary stadium that could possibly be upgraded. Find out what works well at Tampa Bay Rays from the people who know best. To see a team that appears on the decline (at least from the perspective of two 90 win seasons in the last few years) go to a new city and perhaps, stink, may give San Antonio pause.