Orlando MLB Team Prospect Dwindles?

by Romario Gabbidon

The Tampa Bay Rays' recent announcement of a new $1.3 billion stadium in St. Petersburg hasn't deterred Pat Williams' dream of bringing baseball to Orlando.

Pat Williams, co-founder of the Orlando Magic, has been leading the Orlando Dreamers' quest for baseball in Central Florida. Their initial plan was to attract the Rays to Orlando, but that changed when the Rays decided to stay on Florida's west coast.

Now, the Dreamers are solely focused on convincing Major League Baseball (MLB) that Orlando is a prime expansion market. While other cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Portland, San Antonio, and Salt Lake City are in the running, Williams believes Orlando has unique advantages.

Orlando's TV market is growing, with the Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne area rising to the 17th spot in Nielsen's 2022-2023 DMA rankings. The Dreamers' proposed $1.7 billion domed stadium is still seeking funding but remains hopeful.

Comparing this to the Rays' new stadium, which will cost $1.3 billion, with funding from public and private sources, shows Orlando's plan is in a similar financial scope.

The Rays' project includes a 30,000-seat stadium owned by Pinellas County and subleased to the Rays, with $700 million from the Rays, $300 million from Pinellas County, and $300 million from St. Petersburg. It's part of a broader $6 billion redevelopment around Tropicana Field, including housing, office space, retail, and hotels.

In summary, despite the Rays' plans, Pat Williams and the Orlando Dreamers remain committed to bringing baseball to Orlando, focusing on convincing MLB of Orlando's potential as an expansion market.