Rays Could Still Move To Tampa After St. Pete Redevelopment Bid Along with other list member Charlotte, Portland was a finalist for the Expos franchise but lost out to Washington. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. Population: 567,641 (28th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: None. 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. 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. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. 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. 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 Braves played the first game ever at CoolToday Park, to close out the 2019 spring training schedule. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. 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. Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. All rights reserved. December 2, 2022 in Grapefruit League Teams, Tampa Bay Rays. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. The Rays and Charlotte County announced on Dec. 1 that the club would not be able to hold Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park. Is it likely? QUIZ: Which Member of the 2021 Washington Nationals Are You? and our 2023 Leaders Group. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. There have also been professional leagues but, if substantial, it was back in the 19th century. Tampa residents Dennis Gallagher and his daughter Kate wait for the start of the Tampa Bay Rays final home spring training game last season. Rays' early-season success leads to attendance bump. Already a subscriber? 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 Toronto Blue Jays will now play the Rays at Tropicana Field on that date. A. . So would bringing a team back there make sense? Rays spring training: Charlotte County officials ponder future - Yahoo! However, if they were to bite the bullet and go to North Carolina, theres definitely reasons to believe they can succeed. 5. Plan outlined for new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, redevelopment - ESPN Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic. So is it their time yet? Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility Charlotte Sports Park - Wikipedia 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. 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 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. , 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. Your email address will not be published. The move to Central Florida comes after the team's facilities in Port Charlotte were damaged by Hurricane Ian back in September. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. 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. 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. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. 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. Yes. Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. They had 35 years with very little success (one NLCS appearance and the best record in baseball in 1994. Tampa, mainly, services minor league teams. 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 dropped to 14-1 . MLB-best Tampa Bay strengthens bullpen with Brewers trade 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. It can be problematic, but not unheard of, for Major League baseball teams to host spring training at more than one site. Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. They want to be next to a vibrant downtown," Welch said. Rays moving spring camp due to damage caused by hurricane A playoff game. 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. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. ", 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. 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. On that historic night, there were only over 12,000 fans at the ballpark and, from my point of view, a lot of them were Orioles fans. 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 Hurricane Ian. The Rays continue to look for a long-term answer to stay in Florida, asking for a new stadium to be built in Tampa. Well, until the strike hit anyway). There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. 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. 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. Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility and I recently flew into Tampa for a three game series and getting to Tropicana Field from Tampa itself was a pain in the butt. For more information, please see our 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. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged from Hurricane Ian, the Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. A news outlet reported in August of 2010 that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is actively pursuing a professional baseball team for the city. 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. MLB Realignment: 7 Cities the Tampa Bay Rays Could Relocate to If NFL Owner Rips Baseball Team for Plans to Move to Las Vegas 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. Pacers fans are immensely loyal and, regardless of talent or win totals, it always seems the Pacers are blue collar and supported as such. 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. 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,. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. 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. The decision affects both the major league and minor league camps. In recent years,the Rays have contemplated moving from St. Petersburg to Tampa, andteam officials have touted a Sister Cities concept that would have the Rayssplit theseason between new stadiums in Tampa and Montreal. 1 one month into the season? Tampa Bay Rays. The Montreal thing has come up a number of times the past few years. 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. Why? Related: Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory. The Rays have trained since . Period. But why isnt it the first option? Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). The Nationals Stink, BAD. Astros: Why pitcher Luis Garcia relied on his cutter to shut out Rays 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. 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. "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. The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense, 7. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Moving the Rays to Charlotte is not only a good move, but an - Reddit 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. And any time a team threatens or considers folding, Portland is in the cards. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. Imagine converting one-fourth of that 100,000 television audience to home games live. 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season - Wikipedia Ian made landfall just south of Punta Gorda on Sept. 28. SBJ I Factor presented by Allied Sports features an interview with Navigate founder A.J. The Rays Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. So, even if the Rays do end up making the. 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). While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. 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 market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. 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. There has been discussion from some investors. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. Renderings indicate the old stadium would be demolished. I'd say yes. December 1, 2022. More than two decades of archival stories, profiles, research and data. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. "At the moment there's not something concrete with any of these clubs, but I'm told he's open to make a top club move in the summer so it's one to watch for sure. Oakland A's are relocating; Tampa Bay Rays are on deck | Commentary Seattle Mariners unveil City Connect uniforms. "Following a joint assessment of the . "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. Its also a decent distance from Florida. 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'. Lets be real. The city has experimented with five different minor league baseball teams since 1903 with limited success. All rights reserved. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . 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. 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 Indiana Pacers are floundering at the moment, which would provide the Rays with an opening to win over the Indianapolis fanbase. The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense 7. If the team were moved to the city in which is takes it name from, would that attendance increase? Perhaps not. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 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. Oh, and they have been doing all this while remaining in the bottom third of the MLB's payroll rankings. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune. Legacy: Montreal once had the Expos. It did help with putting us a little more on the map with travelers and tourists, he added. 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. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. The fans were out in full force to create one of the loudest arenas in the NBA during the Grizzlies' playoff run into the Western Conference semifinals. The Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) have also begun to sputter. 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. 5 Potential Relocation Spots For Rays - Half Street High Heat | A Award-winning original reporting, with in-depth profiles, timely research and expert opinions on the biggest issues and stories in sports business. There werent as many teams near the teams former spring training home Lake Buena Vista. Residents of Dunedin, the Florida governor's "blue-collar" hometown, are split on whether his values mirror the city's. Doherty noted that while the Stone Crabs offered some family friendly fun, the county was successful in attractingyouth tournaments to recoup some tourism dollars. The Rays also have history at The Stadium, formerly known as Champion Stadium. Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). That's an extra 25,000 and a total attendance of 43,000-plus. 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. "This selection validates all the hard work," Auld said. We are all disappointed for the residents of Charlotte County and the fans there. 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. Archived post. 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. Welch said the plan should keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for the long term. Will Charlotte get MLB team? 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. 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 . However, there's no . San Antonio, despite immense basketball success, is considered small market. 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. 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. The latest personnel hires and promotions, plus exclusive ratings and research from the sports industry. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. MLB: 5 Cities the Tampa Bay Rays Should Move to Immediately Population:709,441 (18th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Carolina Panthers. (AP image). Lets give Tennessee its own team instead. Tampa Bay Rays Careers and Employment - Indeed New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. 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 . The facilities in Port Charlotte sustained heavy damage caused by Hurricane Ian, so officials from the team and county agreed to relocate the Rays Spring Training base while they clean up and repair the complex with plans to return in 2024. Overall, Welch said, the idea is to create a destination for people who come to Rays games, as well as build a new community. 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. The mayor's grandfather ran a woodyard business there before the neighborhood was essentially obliterated by Tropicana Field. The previously released exhibition schedule is expected to be revised. I think it is about time the world's largest playground gets a professional sports team. Rays relocate 2023 spring workouts to Disney - MLB Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training: Southern Exposure. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. Rays Moving Spring Camp Due to Damage Caused by Hurricane - US News Ron DeSantis' Tampa Bay hometown has evolved. Does it still claim him? While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. 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 multifield complex will give the Rays the space they need for their Spring Training workouts. ST. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. 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. 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. But, lets say the Rays come to town. The Spurs have been world class forwellever it seems.