tampa bay rays moving to charlotte

The Rays have been their prime candidate, considering their desire for a new stadium and less than spectacular attendance figures in Tampa Bay. Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training. The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense, 7. 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. 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. If the Rays played their spring training games as well as a portion of the 162-game regular season in Ybor City, the Rays would likely play the same teams they do now. The 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. 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. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. The Tampa Bay Rays will be seeking a temporary spring training site after determining Charlotte Sports Park damage caused by Hurricane Ian was too extensive for camp in 2023. "It will no longer be a dream denied. Not much has changed in Tampa Bay this year either. 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. From 1998 to 2008, the Devil Rays played their spring training games at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, just a few blocks from Tropicana Field. 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. 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. 1 spring training destination by the readers of USA Today and 10Best. 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. "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. 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. Not to mention that the, Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, , at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. There werent as many teams near the teams former spring training home Lake Buena Vista. The Rays and Braves played the first game ever at CoolToday Park, to close out the 2019 spring training schedule. Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. QUIZ: Which Member of the 2021 Washington Nationals Are You? Archived post. 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. 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). 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. 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. They want to be next to a vibrant downtown," Welch said. K.C. PETERSBURG The Rays may soon stand alone as baseball's problem child. Legacy:Besides the two major sports of basketball and football, in which the Indianapolis crowd has been lucky to have very storied franchises with big names, Indianapolis is home to prestigious racing, WNBA, and, as of late, major college basketball success with Butler. Attendance is always low. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. History. 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. https://twitter.com/PDriscollTBT/status/1398317459220881408?s=20 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. I think it is about time the world's largest playground gets a professional sports team. 1. San Antonio, despite immense basketball success, is considered small market. The Rays home game against the New York Yankees on Tues., Feb. 28, will now be played at The Stadium at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney. How awesome would a brand new baseball stadium look near the Las Vegas strip? There are already 2 teams in Texas that have been there for a. time (Astros since 1962, Rangers since 1971), and they have taken up the majority of the fan interest. Other Franchises: Charlotte Bobcats, Carolina Panthers. 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. Analysis: I'm not joking when I put this as my choice. That said, on this list, I find this destination the least likely. 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. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. Its definitely still a possibility and a good idea at that. 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. 5. 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. 2023 Leaders Group. 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. Pat Williams has made a direct appeal to Rays management about a move to the city of Orlando. 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. 1? Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. Other Franchises: San Antonio Spurs (four championships), San Antonio Silver Stars. "Following a joint assessment of the . the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. There have also been professional leagues but, if substantial, it was back in the 19th 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. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated his desire to expand to 32 teams. one for each of the times a baseball flew into the Tropicana catwalks during the postseason over the years. The previously released exhibition schedule is expected to be revised. 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. 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. 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). https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Franchises/tampa-bay-rays-standings-topicana-field-tickets.aspx. The move to Central Florida comes after the team's facilities in Port Charlotte were damaged by Hurricane Ian back in September. 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. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. To see a team that appears on the decline (at least from the perspective of two 90 win seasons in the last few years) go to a new city and perhaps, stink, may give San Antonio pause. 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. They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Relocation and contraction are words no fan wants to hear, especially if it involves their beloved team. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. Will Charlotte get MLB team? 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. 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. 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. But the infrastructure is there, in case the idea is ever there. There was also a proposal to split their home games between St. Petersburg and Montreal that was rejected by Major League Baseball. 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. 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. NEXT IN LINE: In Orlando, Mike Bianchi writes Tampa Bay civic leaders are "on the clock and it is ticking ever so loudly on your status as a Major League Baseball area. As the situation in Oakland was resolved just a few days ago when the As announced they purchased land in Las Vegas to build a ballpark, Tampa Bay is on deck and better step up to plate or the red-hot Rays will someday soon be announcing a move to Nashville, Charlotte, Montreal or some other baseball-hungry city (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/26). Uncover why Tampa Bay Rays is the best company for you. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training: Southern Exposure. 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. 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.. Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. The Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. Why are the Rays in St Pete? 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. 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. Charlotte is a great city that baseball should look to expand to, but for the Rays, its not the right option. 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. Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). 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. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. "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. Danny - Nationals Lead Writer: @Nats_Baseball, Matt - Nationals Lead Writer: @HolleranMDH, 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast . 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. 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. 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. Baseball Legacy: Tampa and its bay area is, of course, a major player in the MLB spring training.

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