tampa bay rays moving to charlotte

tampa bay rays moving to charlotte

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. Population: 454,731 (40th among U.S. cities). 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. 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. 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. However, at its closest, St. Pete is six to eight miles from the city of Tampa and much, much farther coming from surrounding suburbs. St. Petersburg is a hike from Tampa, and most of the ways to get between the two cities are clogged during weekday rush hour. Its also a decent distance from Florida. 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. 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. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. Legacy: Hartford is perhaps more known for its former franchise, aka The Whalers, then anything else. If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. So is it their time yet? In the case of the Tampa Bay Rays, relocation and contraction have been words that have plagued the franchise, both through years and years of frustrating on the field struggles and during a still-running streak of division winning success. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Guerra isn't exactly a . Then they lost them. 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. 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 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 continue to look for a long-term answer to stay in Florida, asking for a new stadium to be built in Tampa. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazines awards, such as Forty Under 40, Game Changers and others. But, lets say the Rays come to town. The previously released exhibition schedule is expected to be revised. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. 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,. Population: 807,584 (14th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". 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. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . Tampa Bay Rays. 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. 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. 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). (Photo by Julio Aguilar/G. 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. 2023 Leaders Group. 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? One thing I can say is that Portland folks are extremely outgoing and very loyal. Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. 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. 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 . 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 . Baseball Legacy: Tampa and its bay area is, of course, a major player in the MLB spring training. They want to be next to a vibrant downtown," Welch said. The Grizzlies were 27th in NBA attendance, but this is largely due to their struggles during the regular season. 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. But as for baseball, Indianapolis has the AAA affiliate for the usually awful Pittsburgh Pirates. It time to move on to more deserving cities. A news outlet reported in August of 2010 that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is actively pursuing a professional baseball team for the city. "Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training," the statement . Welch, who is St. Petersburg's first Black mayor, emphasized that a key goal is to restore a majority Black neighborhood known as the Gas Plant District that was ousted by the stadium and a highway. Plus, the only teams the Rays would have to compete with for attendance would be the Nevada Wolfpack and the UNLV Rebels' college teamswell, and the Lingerie Football League (pictured above), but I do not think they will be able to cause the same attendance troubles the Rays have at the moment. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged from Hurricane Ian, the Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. So would bringing a team back there make sense? Overall, Welch said, the idea is to create a destination for people who come to Rays games, as well as build a new community. December 1, 2022. The Nationals Stink, BAD. The Rays started the season with 13 consecutive wins, tying the 1982 Atlanta Braves and the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers for the modern era (post-1900) record, and the most . 2023 Leaders Group. https://twitter.com/PDriscollTBT/status/1398317459220881408?s=20 Other Franchises: San Antonio Spurs (four championships), San Antonio Silver Stars. 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. Already a subscriber? 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. That said, on this list, I find this destination the least likely. 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. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. 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. 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. QUIZ: Which Member of the 2021 Washington Nationals Are You? I think the loyal sports followers would go, but I think the biggest problem would be how spoiled the fans would be. 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. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. 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. Its definitely still a possibility and a good idea at that. Id be on the road for leisure travel sales and when I mentioned I was from the Port Charlotte area, before the Rays came on, a lot of time Id get stares, because people didnt know where we were located, said Doherty who started with the bureau in 2005 as the sports marketing manager. Much like the last two cities on this list, Nashville would be better off receiving an expansion franchise than sorting through recruiting the Rays. Period. 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. A history in Charlotte County. 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. . Your email address will not be published. Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. Period. 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. 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. Access to easy-to-read digital editions of weekly issues. 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast, Nats Parks New BetMGM Sportsbook is Great. 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. '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. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. Most recently, published reports, primarily in the Tampa Bay Times, have highlighted a portion of that effort that would have the Rays play their spring training games in a stadium that would be built as part of the development play for the 50-acre Gas Worx parcel between Ybor City and the Channelside area, with a spring training player development site to the north, in Pasco County. 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.. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. 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. This scenario seems perfect for an in-state move. However, the key stat here, is the Rays television audience. 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. Residents of Dunedin, the Florida governor's "blue-collar" hometown, are split on whether his values mirror the city's. December 2, 2022 in Grapefruit League Teams, Tampa Bay Rays. 1. 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. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. 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. 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. 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. Population: 567,641 (28th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: None. Click below to sign in. "I pitched like that in 2021, and it was a good year from me, so I think moving there has had the same effect," said Garcia, who has lowered . There is also an established baseball tradition in Omaha with the College World Series played there every year. 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 . Tampa Bay previously hosted six regular-season games at the Disney ballpark, sweeping a series against the Rangers in May 2007 then winning three games against the Blue Jays in April 2008. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. 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 Rays' current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp," a spokesperson wrote in an email to 10 Tampa Bay. Renderings indicate the old stadium would be demolished. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. The Baltimore Orioles, prior to their move to Ed Smith Stadium in 2010, hosted Major League spring training in Fort Lauderdale, while the minor league camp was at Twin Lakes Parks in Sarasota, which was originally developed by the Kansas City Royals in 1970 as a baseball academy. The latter ideacomes from state Sen. William Simpson, R-Trilby, current senate president. I think MLB view cities like Montreal, Portland, Nashville, Charlotte and possibly Mexico City as possible expansion cities. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. Writers and fans STILL dont have much to talk about right now regarding baseball, but in other news, MLB finally shot down. 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. Nashville's pursuit of an MLB franchise might be gaining steam, if a Tampa City Council member is to be believed. As a matter of fact, there were some in Charlotte that did not want to give the Knights a new stadium out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. Right now, even as it struggles for in-person fans, Tampa draws close to 15 percent of Hartford's entire population per game. The mayor's grandfather ran a woodyard business there before the neighborhood was essentially obliterated by Tropicana Field. Relocate to Montreal or Nashville where they can draw fans, same can said for the Marlins, , 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 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. With a . Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated his desire to expand to 32 teams. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. A. . 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. 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. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bays Spring Training home since 2009. . 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. The multifield complex will give the Rays the space they need for their Spring Training workouts. "Folks want to be here. 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. They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. Ranking MLB's radical City Connect uniforms: Which one's No. Analysis: For a city with very little exposure to professional sports (only two major sports franchises exist now and the only exposure to baseball has been a minor league affiliate) Portland has been a target for an MLB team for years. 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. 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). 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. 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 this story: Raiders owner Mark Davis knows a thing or two about moving a team from Oakland to Las Vegas. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. "This team is the best partner for this generational endeavor, and now the next phase of work begins to bring this dream to reality for everyone in St. Petersburg," Welch said in a speech on the steps of City Hall. 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. It can be problematic, but not unheard of, for Major League baseball teams to host spring training at more than one site. 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. They get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. 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. 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. Finally it makes sense for travel times too, every team in the AL East is closer to Charlotte than Tampa by several hours of flight, and very few teams in any division would have further travel times. 1:50. The Rays dropped to 14-1 . That's an extra 25,000 and a total attendance of 43,000-plus. Cities like Vegas and Memphis relocation cities. A's officials last week announced that they had signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres of land for a stadium . 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. 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. Is it likely? Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. ST. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. All rights reserved. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. 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. The Toronto Blue Jays will now play the Rays at Tropicana Field on that date. 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. Lets give Tennessee its own team instead. The latest personnel hires and promotions, plus exclusive ratings and research from the sports industry. Attendance is always low. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. In2014, the new stadium, which included a boardwalk food area behind the outfield fence and a grass berm seating area, was named the No. Proximity of the Rays in Port Charlotte as well as the Orioles and Pirates to the north and Red Sox and Twins to the south in Fort Myers was one of several factors when the Atlanta Braves decided to move theirspring training quarters to North Port. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. A spokesman for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor declined to comment as well, noting that the city would not be involved in that concept. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. Where . 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. Charlotte, N.C. 2 of 5 The team is considering several options and hopes to make a decision in the next few weeks. Award-winning original reporting, with in-depth profiles, timely research and expert opinions on the biggest issues and stories in sports business. Here are five cities that would likely be great fits for the Rays. ", 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. There has been discussion from some investors. Other Franchises: Portland Trailblazers (one championship), Portland Timbers.

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