The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. I'd say yes. "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. 4.26.2023. Daily updates aggregating the stories and spin from more than 600 outlets across the globe. 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. The Carolina Panthers are in the middle of a down phase and may not be winners again for quite some time. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. Population: 454,731 (40th among U.S. cities). Wed be very sad to see them go. 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. They want to be next to a vibrant downtown," Welch said. Because they play somewhere accessible for the greater Tampa Bay area. 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. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season.. We are all disappointed for the residents of Charlotte County and the fans there. Other Franchises: No major sport franchises. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. The Rays have had a charmed first month of the 2023 season, and plays like the one Wander Franco made against the Astros on Monday are what's fueled such a dominant start. Pat Williams has made a direct appeal to Rays management about a move to the city of Orlando. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Other Franchises: Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts (five total championships, two Super Bowl victories), Indiana Fever. "We are solely focused on the Sister City plan and keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay for generations," said Rays' president Brian Auld. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. Ian made landfall just south of Punta Gorda on Sept. 28. Click below to sign in. Well have to play the wait-and-see game to see where that goes and we know their agreement here goes through 2028, so we hope to at least have them through then, but wed love to renew that agreement.. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. For more information, please see our They get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. Analysis: Baseball can work in Texas. In2014, the new stadium, which included a boardwalk food area behind the outfield fence and a grass berm seating area, was named the No. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. 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 . 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. Baseball Legacy: Tampa and its bay area is, of course, a major player in the MLB spring training. The team's lease with their Spring training facility in Port Charlotte runs through 2028. So it came as some surprise that the attendance for a 'home' franchise is so low (with, at least, fans originating from Tampa without ties to other franchises). 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. Its the fifth fastest growing city in the US, and a growing city for sports aswell with the Panthers boasting the 7th highest average attendence in 2018 despite being a relatively new expansion team, 5. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Is it likely? Why are the Rays in St Pete? He also knows a thing or two about the Athletics, the MLB franchise that the Raiders . They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. They have a temporary stadium that could possibly be upgraded. So is it their time yet? While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. 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. 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. That being said, lets get to it! With a . 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. I think it is about time the world's largest playground gets a professional sports team. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. The Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) have also begun to sputter. The Rays also have history at The Stadium, formerly known as Champion Stadium. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. But as for baseball, Indianapolis has the AAA affiliate for the usually awful Pittsburgh Pirates. The Rays have not yet finalized their plans for Spring Training, but they are considering a variety of options. Cities like Vegas and Memphis relocation cities. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. The Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. As a matter of fact, there were some in, Charlotte that did not want to give the Knights a new stadium. 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. . Perhaps not. A playoff game. How awesome would a brand new baseball stadium look near the Las Vegas strip? St. Petersburg is a hike from Tampa, and most of the ways to get between the two cities are clogged during weekday rush hour. "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. 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. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. 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. stories and Draft takeaways; The premise behind Wasserman Ventures; Tony Ressler's grand vision for Atlanta and early schedule highlights from an expanded CFP. Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). They get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. Tampa residents Dennis Gallagher and his daughter Kate wait for the start of the Tampa Bay Rays final home spring training game last season. 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,. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Tampa Bay Rays moving spring training site due to hurricane damage. NHL Lightning & Panthers. 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. Learn More. Yes. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. They also need a home for their minor-league teams to train. Tampa Bays home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 26, has been removed from the schedule. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. However, at its closest, St. Pete is six to eight miles from the city of Tampa and much, much farther coming from surrounding suburbs. Analysis: Being about 20 minutes from the worldwide leader in sports, ESPN, might help you get the stakes up, but will it provide the lasting touch into sustaining a franchise long term? "This selection validates all the hard work," Auld said. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. The Rays have trained since . Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. With this trade to re-acquire Javy Guerra, Tampa Bay is adding an intriguing arm to their group of relievers. Analysis: I'm not joking when I put this as my choice. , and with the split-season proposal with Montreal shot down, the idea is gaining traction. MLB is a significant step closer to expansion, which will bring two more franchises into the big leagues while also necessitating the creation of eight new minor-league teams around the country. The Nationals Stink, BAD. So is it possible? 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. The Tampa Bay Times reported on Sept. 29 that there was obvious damage done to the Charlotte Sports Park complex, noting that a worker on site described water damage and electrical issues inside the buildings. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. 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. But the population, mostly consisting of people aged between 20 and 50 and with a solid but still lower-to-middle income, might enjoy a change of sports scenery. Charlotte Sports Park (formerly known as Charlotte County Stadium and Ranger Stadium) is a baseball stadium in Port Charlotte, Florida.The stadium is the home field for Tampa Bay Rays spring training operations, as well as its Rookie-class Florida Complex League Rays teams. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. Related to that, and with a potential move there by the Rays, you'd have instant rivalry potential with the Seattle Mariners. 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. Seattle Mariners unveil City Connect uniforms. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. 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). 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. 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 and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. 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. The Rays have been their prime candidate, considering their desire for a new stadium and less than spectacular attendance figures in Tampa Bay. 49 print issues delivered to your home or office. Archived post. 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. 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. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. 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. Rays president Brian Auld, who attended the mayor's event, said in a brief interview it is "a thrill" to see the project take a major step forward. The latter ideacomes from state Sen. William Simpson, R-Trilby, current senate president. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. A history in Charlotte County. 1 one month into the season? NO LEVER LEFT UNPULLED: SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL's Erik Bacharach noted the Rays started the season with 13 consecutive wins and the front office pulled all the levers it could to maximize, from a business perspective, the unexpected run of on-field success," including "efforts in ticketing, marketing and fan experience. The Rays relied heavily on their organic communications through social and email to capitalize on the buzz around the team -- especially as it related to ticketing." The Rays Minor League camp will be based out of the Disney complex throughout Spring Training. Tampa Bay's 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. 2023 Leaders Group. 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. 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. Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have averaged roughly between 22,000-23,000 fans per game in attendance, but the Trop seats 34,078 people and could hold 42,735 fans if they were to remove the tarp from certain sections in the stadium. The latest personnel hires and promotions, plus exclusive ratings and research from the sports industry. 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, which first hosted the Rays in 2009, followinga $28 million renovation. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. Not to mention that the, Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, , at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. PETERSBURG The Rays may soon stand alone as baseball's problem child. It did help with putting us a little more on the map with travelers and tourists, he added. 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. The team is considering several options and hopes to make a decision in the next few weeks. The Spurs have been world class forwellever it seems. 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. 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. There have also been professional leagues but, if substantial, it was back in the 19th century. 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 will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. "Folks want to be here. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. From 2009 to 2020, it also hosted the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. 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. Doherty noted that while the Stone Crabs offered some family friendly fun, the county was successful in attractingyouth tournaments to recoup some tourism dollars. Firstly, one has to know that Nashville has an entire website dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. The previously released exhibition schedule is expected to be revised. The Rays continue to look for a long-term answer to stay in Florida, asking for a new stadium to be built in Tampa. Analysis: Fool me oncewhile the Expos had its fair share of ownership issues throughout its troubled history, the Expos also had very lousy attendance and, not for the last time, a Canadian team playing a United States game, had to go elsewhere. According to the Tampa Bay Times, "As the Montreal plan took shape, Rays officials said it was their 'only' option and dismissed any chance of getting a new full-time home in the Tampa Bay . Well, until the strike hit anyway). Central Texas is one of the most populous areas in the United States, and there have been talks of them potentially hosting another sports team for some time. 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. Relocate to Montreal or Nashville where they can draw fans, same can said for the Marlins, 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. 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. K.C. Other Franchises: Charlotte Bobcats, Carolina Panthers. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. Residents of Dunedin, the Florida governor's "blue-collar" hometown, are split on whether his values mirror the city's. Team Puerto Ricos scheduled exhibition game against the Rays on Thursday, March 9 will now be hosted by the Atlanta Braves at North Port. That said, on this list, I find this destination the least likely. 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. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. Population: 676,640 (19th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Sports Teams in the City: Memphis Grizzlies. Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. Not much has changed in Tampa Bay this year either. Hartford hasn't really experimented in any of the other major American sports and when they lost the Whalers, they lost all access to major sports. Related: Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory. Writers and fans STILL dont have much to talk about right now regarding baseball, but in other news, MLB finally shot down. There isnt really an issue with this proposal. "It will no longer be a dream denied. 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 . By then, the sports park then known as Charlotte County Stadium had been without a spring training club since 2002, when the Texas Rangers left for Arizona, after spending 15 years there. There is an obvious solution as to where . The Rays current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp.. 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. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. The Tampa Bay Rays are still considering a move to Tampa after winning the bid to redevelop part of St. Petersburg's Historic Gas Plant District, the team's president, Brian Auld, told Patch. It would work out, believe me it will. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. 1:50. 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. Can this problem be solved with money and a stadium move to Tampa proper? 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. 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). The Rays' current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp," a spokesperson wrote in an email to 10 Tampa Bay. [Source: TampaBay.com] 10 Things To Know About The 2022 Gameplan for a Rays Stadium in Ybor. ST. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. One of the drawbacks, however, would be the very low population. All rights reserved. Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. 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 . Charlotte is a great city that baseball should look to expand to, but for the Rays, its not the right option. "Following a joint assessment of the . 2023 Leaders Group. 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. Central Texas is one of the most populous areas in the United States, and there have been talks of them potentially hosting another sports team for some time. Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). The storm struck the southwest coast of Florida and slowly moved across the state. Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training. 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. 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. Legacy: The Portland Beavers have been a AAA affiliate (or minor league affiliate in some capacity) since the beginning of the 20th century. Manager Joe Maddon helped guide the youthful Rays to their first playoff appearance in 2008, and they proceeded to upset the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, but they were eventually defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. Other Franchises: Portland Trailblazers (one championship), Portland Timbers. The Charlotte Stone Crabs enjoyed an 11-year run in Charlotte County. Tampa, mainly, services minor league teams. They had 35 years with very little success (one NLCS appearance and the best record in baseball in 1994. Well see, he added. the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. There was also a proposal to split their home games between St. Petersburg and Montreal that was rejected by Major League Baseball.
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