The team's lease with their Spring training facility in Port Charlotte runs through 2028. Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. 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 played at the domed Tropicana Field since their inaugural 1998 season but have considered moving elsewhere, such as neighboring Tampa, amid consistently low attendance. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said last year that there is a "sense of urgency" for the Rays to resolve their stadium issue and that MLB wants the team to remain in the Tampa Bay area. However, at its closest, St. Pete is six to eight miles from the city of Tampa and much, much farther coming from surrounding suburbs. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune. Population: 807,584 (14th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers. 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 mayor's grandfather ran a woodyard business there before the neighborhood was essentially obliterated by Tropicana Field. 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. 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.. 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. 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. In this story: Raiders owner Mark Davis knows a thing or two about moving a team from Oakland to Las Vegas. 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. 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. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. Were always looking for top-tier events, like the Rays Spring Training, for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. 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. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. 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Like Indy, I find the market perfect due to the population numbers and lack of in-city competition during the high-ratings portions of the leagues but see the fan expectations as an issue. MLB-best Tampa Bay strengthens bullpen with Brewers trade 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. 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. Cookie Notice Nashville's pursuit of an MLB franchise might be gaining steam, if a Tampa City Council member is to be believed. 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 . 5. Walt Disney World Resort said its looking forward to providing. 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. 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 is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. 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. Population: 454,731 (40th among U.S. cities). A future without Rays spring training? Possibility leaves many Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). | Powered By: Web Seo Wiz. 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. 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 Montreal thing has come up a number of times the past few years. Same goes for the Colts. While the Whalers were a popular franchise in Hartford, Hartford is just plain inexperienced at handling major league sports. The Rays use the facility on a year-round basis for extended spring training, complex and instructional league play, and mini-camps. 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. A history in Charlotte County. Floridians dont care about baseball as much hence Florida Marlins. "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 team rebounded in 2010 by winning the AL East for the second time in three years with a 96-66 record, but the Rays fell to the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers in the ALDS. The Rays also have history at The Stadium, formerly known as Champion Stadium. Population: 676,640 (19th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Sports Teams in the City: Memphis Grizzlies. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training - Spring Training Online The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. Move the Tampa Rays to Memphis. Tampa Bay Rays will use Disney, Tropicana Field as temporary spring Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. Tampa, mainly, services minor league teams. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Tampa Bay Rays early season success leads to attendance bump It should be noted though that MLB had Charlotte as a finalist for the Expos franchise when relocation was being considered (and eventually acted on). The decision affects both the major league and minor league camps. With a . The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. 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 community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season - Wikipedia 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. Tampa Bays home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 26, has been removed from the schedule. There has been discussion from some investors. "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 . K.C. They get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. MLB Realignment: 7 Cities the Tampa Bay Rays Could Relocate to If The Rays are just seven games out of the lead in the AL East and five and a half games out of the Wild Card, but are ranked 13th in AL attendance. Its also a decent distance from Florida. 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. The Nationals Stink, BAD. Well see, he added. MLB: 5 Cities the Tampa Bay Rays Should Move to Immediately 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. The Tampa Bay Rays have baseball's best offense, . Here are five cities that would likely be great fits for the Rays. 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. Not only is it the most reasonable, but it is the most likely, at least in my opinion. Rays Could Still Move To Tampa After St. Pete Redevelopment Bid 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. Tampa Bay Rays Careers and Employment - Indeed A spokesman for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor declined to comment as well, noting that the city would not be involved in that concept. Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. 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. 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. 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. 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. So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. 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. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. Two proposals shepherded by the previous mayor were scrapped last year by Welch, who sought to focus more on affordable housing and job opportunities at the Gas Plant District. "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. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. 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. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". (AP image). 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. 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. The Rays have arguably the best bullpen in the big leagues. 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. 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). 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. 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. Download it here. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. 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. 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. 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. Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training. With this trade to re-acquire Javy Guerra, Tampa Bay is adding an intriguing arm to their group of relievers. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged from Hurricane Ian, the Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. Your email address will not be published. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays will be built near the current one under plans unveiled Monday as part of a massive redevelopment project that also includes affordable housing, office space and retail in what was once a thriving Black neighborhood. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. Rays relocate 2023 spring workouts to Disney - MLB 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. Why? "We are solely focused on the Sister City plan and keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay for generations," said Rays' president Brian Auld. PETERSBURG The Rays may soon stand alone as baseball's problem child. They also need a home for their minor-league teams to train. Period. 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. Astros: Why pitcher Luis Garcia relied on his cutter to shut out Rays There werent as many teams near the teams former spring training home Lake Buena Vista. The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense, 7. I think the loyal sports followers would go, but I think the biggest problem would be how spoiled the fans would be. 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. 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. Team Puerto Ricos scheduled exhibition game against the Rays on Thursday, March 9 will now be hosted by the Atlanta Braves at North Port. 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. Lets give Tennessee its own team instead. 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 have been their prime candidate, considering their desire for a new stadium and less than spectacular attendance figures in Tampa Bay. Cities like Vegas and Memphis relocation cities. Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. , and with the split-season proposal with Montreal shot down, the idea is gaining traction. 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. The multifield complex will give the Rays the space they need for their Spring Training workouts. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. Moving the Rays to Charlotte is not only a good move, but an - Reddit Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. 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. Officials: Tampa Bay Rays considering Pasco County training facility - KPNX A's officials last week announced that they had signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres of land for a stadium . 4.26.2023. Charlotte is a fast growing city, and theres tons of potential in every way. The Rays continue to look for a long-term answer to stay in Florida, asking for a new stadium to be built in Tampa. 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. 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. On a personal note, I am a Rays fan living outside of Florida (though born and raised in Tampa, represent!) 1:50. 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. 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. The Grizzlies were 27th in NBA attendance, but this is largely due to their struggles during the regular season. 1. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. 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? The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. 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. 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. A playoff game. 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. "One to watch" - Chelsea, Man Utd & Newcastle - Yardbarker 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. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. For more information, please see our One thing I can say is that Portland folks are extremely outgoing and very loyal. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on Feb. 14, with early arrivals slated for Feb. 6. Analysis: With the Tampa Bay area splitting residents up all over the place, an increase in population could work in the Rays favor if they moved to Charlotte. Privacy Policy. Well, until the strike hit anyway). 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. 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.
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