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 Carolina Panthers are in the middle of a down phase and may not be winners again for quite some time. Tampa Bay Rays president Brian Auld told councilmember Charlie Miranda that . Period. A. . 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. 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. 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? The Grizzlies were 27th in NBA attendance, but this is largely due to their struggles during the regular season. 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. | Powered By: Web Seo Wiz. They also need a home for their minor-league teams to train. But as for baseball, Indianapolis has the AAA affiliate for the usually awful Pittsburgh Pirates. I think it is about time the world's largest playground gets a professional sports team. It did help with putting us a little more on the map with travelers and tourists, he added. 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. Overall, Welch said, the idea is to create a destination for people who come to Rays games, as well as build a new community. But it happens, even to the best of teams, the best of fans and even the most successful of franchises. https://twitter.com/PDriscollTBT/status/1398317459220881408?s=20 Why are the Rays in St Pete? Doherty noted that while the Stone Crabs offered some family friendly fun, the county was successful in attractingyouth tournaments to recoup some tourism dollars. Not much has changed in Tampa Bay this year either. Move the Tampa Rays to Memphis. It time to move on to more deserving cities. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. But appearances can be deceiving, and there's . Other Franchises: Portland Trailblazers (one championship), Portland Timbers. Charlotte Sports Park (formerly known as Charlotte County Stadium and Ranger Stadium) is a baseball stadium in Port Charlotte, Florida.The stadium is the home field for Tampa Bay Rays spring training operations, as well as its Rookie-class Florida Complex League Rays teams. Other Franchises: No major sport franchises. However, there's no . PETERSBURG The Rays may soon stand alone as baseball's problem child. Las Vegas has already lost out on the Sacramento Kings who decided to stay put and the Phoenix Coyotes decision to keep their franchise in its current location. Yes. The Rays are locked into a lease at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg through 2027, while the lease for spring training in Port Charlotte runs through 2028. 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. That being said, lets get to it! We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. The Spurs have been world class forwellever it seems. 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. 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. Here are five cities that would likely be great fits for the Rays. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. 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. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. A's officials last week announced that they had signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres of land for a stadium . It would work out, believe me it will. The Rays Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. Seattle Mariners unveil City Connect uniforms. Cities like Vegas and Memphis relocation cities. 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. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility '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. The Rays' easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility However, at its closest, St. Pete is six to eight miles from the city of Tampa and much, much farther coming from surrounding suburbs. The Rays and Charlotte County announced on Dec. 1 that the club would not be able to hold Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park. Lets be real. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. Legacy: The Portland Beavers have been a AAA affiliate (or minor league affiliate in some capacity) since the beginning of the 20th century. Because Charlotte is another example of a city that would be better off receiving an expansion franchise than an exported Rays franchise that would probably have to change its name to something more relevant. NFL Owner Rips Baseball Team for Plans to Move to Las Vegas 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. Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. 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. St. Petersburg is a hike from Tampa, and most of the ways to get between the two cities are clogged during weekday rush hour. Ranking MLB's radical City Connect uniforms: Which one's No. 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. 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. 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). Rays ownership still has a proposal for a $700 million stadium in Ybor City at their feet. Other Franchises: Charlotte Bobcats, Carolina Panthers. St. Petersburg is a hike from Tampa, and most of the ways to get between the two cities are clogged during weekday rush hour. The Rays declined through an email from a team spokesman to comment further. The Toronto Blue Jays will now play the Rays at Tropicana Field on that date. Tampa Bay Rays will use Disney, Tropicana Field as temporary spring The Rays' Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. 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. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 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. Moving the Rays to Charlotte is not only a good move, but an - Reddit There has been discussion from some investors. Archived post. This was the only city that was going to be number 1. MLB Realignment: 7 Cities the Tampa Bay Rays Could Relocate to If Officials: Tampa Bay Rays considering Pasco County training facility - KPNX 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). 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. Legacy: San Antonio is known as a basketball town with the two major franchises being the NBA and the WNBA. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on Feb. 14, with early arrivals slated for Feb. 6. That means 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. 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). 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. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Charlotte is a fast growing city, and theres tons of potential in every way. 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. Column: Another domino falls on road to MLB expansion Are Tampa Bay Rays considering Nashville relocation for MLB franchise? If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. 1 one month into the season? 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. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. . The Nationals Stink, BAD. Your email address will not be published. Guerra isn't exactly a . 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. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. , and with the split-season proposal with Montreal shot down, the idea is gaining traction. Floridians dont care about baseball as much hence Florida Marlins. 5. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. But This is What You Should Have Expected, Mocking the Nationals Offseason, Early Postseason Edition, Mr. Soto or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Washington Nationals, Nats Prospects or: The Art of Tempering Expectations. 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. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". They would have a fan base and really wouldnt effect the St.Louis Cardinals. NO LEVER LEFT UNPULLED: SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL's Erik Bacharach noted the Rays started the season with 13 consecutive wins and the front office pulled all the levers it could to maximize, from a business perspective, the unexpected run of on-field success," including "efforts in ticketing, marketing and fan experience. The Rays relied heavily on their organic communications through social and email to capitalize on the buzz around the team -- especially as it related to ticketing." Let's be real. The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is it likely? The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense 7. Attendance is always low. 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 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 easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. This scenario seems perfect for an in-state move. Well, until the strike hit anyway). For more information, please see our 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 . 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 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 a name change the Rays would have to do, to something like the Stars or Outlaws. Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh said that the team also made other ticket pricing adjustments around their ballpark to make sure that folks who maybe tuned in to the evening news and caught wind of what was happening here, that if they went to our website they could find some tickets, if not for $10, maybe within close proximity to that (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/24 issue). A playoff game. So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. Rays to open upper deck for Yankees series in May, Rays lefty Josh Fleming finds his role as the bulk guy, Rays add bullpen depth in reacquiring Javy Guerra from Brewers, Rays send impressive rookie pitcher Taj Bradley back to minors, Heres why Tampa Bay Rays attendance during the teams historic winning streak matters | Editorial, White Sox pay tribute to Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills, Why well know a lot more about the Rays in a month, CEO who turned Creative Pinellas into a thriving arts center is retiring, 2-year-old daughter of Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett drowns in family pool, Assembly line of Triple-A arms somehow has kept Rays atop the standings, Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter, Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, a two-time Cy Young winner, dies. "We are solely focused on the Sister City plan and keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay for generations," said Rays' president Brian Auld. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bay's Spring Training home since 2009. 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 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. December 1, 2022. On a personal note, I am a Rays fan living outside of Florida (though born and raised in Tampa, represent!) Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. Firstly, one has to know that Nashville has an entire website dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. Its also a decent distance from Florida. 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 get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. That said, on this list, I find this destination the least likely. 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. 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. 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. Tampa Bay Rays moving spring training site due to hurricane damage 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. 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. dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. The 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. 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 . Other Franchises: San Antonio Spurs (four championships), San Antonio Silver Stars. 1:50. 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. 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. 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. Learn More. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays may have identified a future ballpark location at the recently abandoned K-Force headquarters building on the north side of ongoing redevelopment at. The Rays have not yet finalized their plans for Spring Training, but they are considering a variety of options. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . He also knows a thing or two about the Athletics, the MLB franchise that the Raiders . Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune. Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). The downsides of this proposal are apparent. Writers and fans STILL dont have much to talk about right now regarding baseball, but in other news, MLB finally shot down. Population: 676,640 (19th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Sports Teams in the City: Memphis Grizzlies. 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast, Nats Parks New BetMGM Sportsbook is Great. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. "Following a joint assessment of the . Find out what works well at Tampa Bay Rays from the people who know best. Were always looking for top-tier events, like the Rays Spring Training, for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.. 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. "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. Analysis: Baseball can work in Texas. The Charlotte Stone Crabs enjoyed an 11-year run in Charlotte County. Charlotte is a fast growing city, and theres tons of potential in every way. I'd say yes. Rays have the second-lowest average attendance in the MLB, only second to their in state counterparts, Speaking of the Marlins, Florida will still have a team so it wont be like Florida is completely isolated from Baseball, The Marlins have a brand spanking new stadium, wheras the Rays are in need of a new home anyway with their stadium being 29 years old, 4. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. In2014, the new stadium, which included a boardwalk food area behind the outfield fence and a grass berm seating area, was named the No. 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. Charlotte seems like it could be a great fit for a professional baseball team. 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 . The Rays have trained since . 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. The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball since 2008 when they went from being the doormat of the American League to the World Series runner-up. Legacy: Montreal once had the Expos. 1. However, if they were to bite the bullet and go to North Carolina, theres definitely reasons to believe they can succeed. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season is the 26th season of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise and their 16th as the Rays. 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. Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. The Tampa Bay Rays have baseball's best offense, . If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. "One to watch" - Chelsea, Man Utd & Newcastle - Yardbarker "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 2023 Leaders Group. 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season - Wikipedia 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. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. 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'. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Franchises/tampa-bay-rays-standings-topicana-field-tickets.aspx. Rays president Brian Auld, who attended the mayor's event, said in a brief interview it is "a thrill" to see the project take a major step forward. Population: 807,584 (14th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers. 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. 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 latest personnel hires and promotions, plus exclusive ratings and research from the sports industry. The new Rays Stadium in Tampa should be built on Dale Mabry - DRaysBay Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. Rays moving camp site due to hurricane damage - ESPN There is an obvious solution as to where . Tampa This was the only city that was going to be number 1. 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.

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