The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. 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. Required fields are marked *. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. 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. Can this problem be solved with money and a stadium move to Tampa proper? But, lets say the Rays come to town. Ian made landfall just south of Punta Gorda on Sept. 28. 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. The Rays also have history at The Stadium, formerly known as Champion Stadium. 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 . Pacers fans are immensely loyal and, regardless of talent or win totals, it always seems the Pacers are blue collar and supported as such. Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. 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. QUIZ: Which Member of the 2021 Washington Nationals Are You? Archived post. Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. 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 Tampa Bay Rays have baseball's best offense, . As a matter of fact, there were some in, Charlotte that did not want to give the Knights a new stadium. 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. With the Athletics buying land for a new stadium in . We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. They have a stadium and entertainment area proposal, a section on the citys baseball history and their Negro League ties, and an entire group of investors. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. SBJ I Factor presented by Allied Sports features an interview with Navigate founder A.J. Well see, he added. The Rangers and Astros have been centerpieces of MLB for decades. In this story: Raiders owner Mark Davis knows a thing or two about moving a team from Oakland to Las Vegas. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Population:709,441 (18th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Carolina Panthers. A's officials last week announced that they had signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres of land for a stadium . 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. Then they lost them. So is it their time yet? 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. 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. 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'. 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. 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 announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. The Grizzlies were 27th in NBA attendance, but this is largely due to their struggles during the regular season. 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. 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. Tampa Bay's success on the field has not translated to putting fans in the stands of Tropicana Field though, which is a big reason why their payroll continues to remain low and will not be doing them any favors as the trade deadline approaches in 2011. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. 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. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune. Well, until the strike hit anyway). 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 . 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. Timely, daily updates provide the latest developments and news relied upon by industry leaders. "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. Upgrade your subscription to get all the news you need: Adding SBJ weekly content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: Adding SBJ daily content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: You have 1 All Access article remaining this month. 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. 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. sun PHOTO BY TOM O'NEILL 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). The Charlotte Sports Park facility, which has been the the Rays spring home since 2009, sustained extensive damage in the late-September storm, including to the game stadium and other buildings. However, the key stat here, is the Rays television audience. "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. 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. 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. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. The downsides of this proposal are apparent. [Source: TampaBay.com] 10 Things To Know About The 2022 Gameplan for a Rays Stadium in Ybor. 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. History. 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? They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. The Rays and Charlotte County announced on Dec. 1 that the club would not be able to hold Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park. Nashvilles high interest makes them the most attractive of the out of state relocation options, but again, a desire for a new team and a lack of a temporary stadium make this difficult when they collide with the Rays lengthy lease and their TV deals in Florida. 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 . 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 . There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. The Rays will move operations from Disney to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at the beginning of March for the rest of Spring Training. (AP image). One thing I can say is that Portland folks are extremely outgoing and very loyal. Tampa Bays home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 26, has been removed from the schedule. Because they play somewhere accessible for the greater Tampa Bay area. Analysis: I'm not joking when I put this as my choice. However, if they were to bite the bullet and go to North Carolina, theres definitely reasons to believe they can succeed. So, even if the Rays do end up making the. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". This was the only city that was going to be number 1. Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. But the infrastructure is there, in case the idea is ever there. 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. stories and Draft takeaways; The premise behind Wasserman Ventures; Tony Ressler's grand vision for Atlanta and early schedule highlights from an expanded CFP. 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. The Rays have not yet finalized their plans for Spring Training, but they are considering a variety of options.
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