Orlando Dreamers MLB Stadium Proposal

[ZachPL]

This article was just posted yesterday,

5 things to know about the Orlando Dreamers baseball team

Orlando Dreamers are an organized group trying to bring a Major League Baseball (MLB) team to Orlando, Florida, with a stadium near SeaWorld.

attractionsmagazine.com

but there is news today that Tampa Bay Rays current owner has a deal on paper to sell the team. This is probably the best chance for an Orlando Dreamers stadium to be built near seaworld. At this time the potential new owner hasn't stated whether he plans to keep the team in Tampa area.

Rays in talks to sell team to Florida developer

Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg is in "exclusive discussions" to sell the franchise to a group led by a Florida-based residential developer, the team acknowledged Wednesday.

www.espn.com

 

[SeventyOne]

Interesting because the guy named in the ESPN article is not connected with the Orlando effort. Of course he could in theory move the team anywhere (or nowhere), but given his biography, Jacksonville seems his most likely destination. But the Jags have never made much of a go of it there in football, not sure baseball would do much better.

If he does move the Rays to Jax, that's a bit more distance for MLB to consider adding a team to Orlando (assuming Tampa would've been too close for expansion). Still the largest media market without a team--and could probably group in Tampa too if at that point--plus the potential to attract tourists. But it just adds an extra layer of "what if" if this sale goes through.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Selfishly, I don't want this since the proposed location for the stadium is already a traffic nightmare.

Excited for what it does to the area though, with Brightline (hopefully soon) across 528 and Epic down the street, lots of interesting stuff going on in this particular area.

 

[GAcoaster]

The ONLY way this is feasible is if they build the train line to get people in and out of the area without cars. The roads are at maximum capacity already. As a resident of Williamsburg I can tell you we just can’t take any more.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The ONLY way this is feasible is if they build the train line to get people in and out of the area without cars. The roads are at maximum capacity already. As a resident of Williamsburg I can tell you we just can’t take any more.

No way the existing roads can handle post-game traffic. It barely manages to handle Aquatica. There would need to be improved access to and from the 528/I4... and that will take years to design/construct.

 

[SeventyOne]

And now a guy from Memphis has put in a bid, as well.

 

[ZachPL]

Rays at the moment are still trying for tampa, but that hasn't stopped them from coming up with new designs

Orlando Dreamers unveil new stadium renderings ahead of $975M TDT request

The Orlando Dreamers are expected to present its updated stadium renderings during Wednesday's TDT Citizen Task Force Meeting where it will request $975 million in TDT funds toward the construction of the stadium.

www.wesh.com

 

[Jake S]

lol

lmao, even

 

[MAC]

1) Using Johnny Damon in your advertising is pretty funny (yes, he went to DPHS, but I feel like that's not attracting anyone at this point)
2) Are tourists really going to go to this thing? And who is asking for more traffic in that area?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I’d imagine the county would be inclined to improve traffic in the area if this ultimately happens. Brightline + UOR building out the south campus would need it anyway.

 

[SeventyOne]

1) Using Johnny Damon in your advertising is pretty funny (yes, he went to DPHS, but I feel like that's not attracting anyone at this point)
2) Are tourists really going to go to this thing? And who is asking for more traffic in that area?

1) I think JFD still has cache among men (and women) of a certain age. The same age likely to buy season tickets or cajole their company into buying a box.
2) Brits, which I-Drive has in abundance, will show up at least for one game in their time here. It's a novelty. Not traditional tourists, but I could see a lot of transplants driving an hour down from The Villages to see their old home team play. For that matter, Orlando itself is still largely a melting pot of the entire country--look at our sports bars during NFL season--I think any visiting team could draw a a decent crowd of former hometown fans.

That said, I agree traffic threatens to be an issue, they'll need to finally get the Aquatica glut in Summer under control.

 

[MAC]

1) I think JFD still has cache among men (and women) of a certain age. The same age likely to buy season tickets or cajole their company into buying a box.
2) Brits, which I-Drive has in abundance, will show up at least for one game in their time here. It's a novelty. Not traditional tourists, but I could see a lot of transplants driving an hour down from The Villages to see their old home team play. For that matter, Orlando itself is still largely a melting pot of the entire country--look at our sports bars during NFL season--I think any visiting team could draw a a decent crowd of former hometown fans.

That said, I agree traffic threatens to be an issue, they'll need to finally get the Aquatica glut in Summer under control.

I recall some 20 or so years ago the same thought was applied to the new Orlando Magic arena and I think that was shot down both because of traffic and worry that visitors wouldn't leave UO or WDW. I recall there was some talk about a potential UO partnership as well.