Major League Baseball (Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem: sales, buy, college)

[boardmember10000]

Is there ever any talk of a move to get a major league baseball team in the Triangle. I know the Bulls are popular but with the large growth of the area and the fact there is already a team from one of the big four sports (Hurricanes) is it on the horizon? I was thinking about the Devil Rays (the Bulls are a farm team for them right?). They are dying in Tampa, what about moving them here?

They are in the same division as the Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles. All from areas cities that have sent many of their fans here. The chance to see their "home team" playing here could draw the crowds.

Just a thought.

[NYC2RDU]

Although I consider this fantasy you've got my vote. I'll buy season tickets the first day they're made available.

[nclover]

Wouldn't that be fun.... A new stadium too!

[Rich6896]

I know I'll always be a Red Sox and Patriots fan. I plan attending Panther games when they play the Pats. I won't be in NC in time for this years preseason game. I doubt I would watch the Devil Rays, although the chance to see Elisha Dukes kill someone live would be something to see.

[Waterboy526]

I would love for this to happen (Big NY Mets fan), but I don't see it happening anytime soon. There are way too many other cities that would get a team before the Triangle would. Like I said, I would LOVE a team to relocate here, but it might be 20 or more years before that happens (if ever).

[he's so hott]

Originally Posted by boardmember10000

Is there ever any talk of a move to get a major league baseball team in the Triangle. I know the Bulls are popular but with the large growth of the area and the fact there is already a team from one of the big four sports (Hurricanes) is it on the horizon? I was thinking about the Devil Rays (the Bulls are a farm team for them right?). They are dying in Tampa, what about moving them here?

They are in the same division as the Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles. All from areas cities that have sent many of their fans here. The chance to see their "home team" playing here could draw the crowds.

Just a thought.

Nope! The last time MLB talked about moving teams around, Portland, Vegas and Norfolk (longer shot) were the names thrown around. If the conversation comes up again, look for Vegas and Portland to be mentioned.

[sleonar1]

I would also be one of the first to purchase season tix. Just seems like the Triangle doesn't hold the population size requried for a good fan base.

[rwally]

there was a "concerted" effort back in the late 90's. I don't recall the particulars but I do remember a group of business people from around Greensboro, NC worked with the G'boro convention and visitors bureau (the travel and tourism marketing entity for the area) to get the Minnesota Twins to relocate to the Triad area (Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point).
Then in 2005 there was talk about trying to get the Florida Marlins to move to Charlotte. I believe there was quite a bit of opposition from taxpayers because they would have payed higher sales tax to finance the stadiums. Another "deal-breaker" was that studies concluded there wasn't enough community support because people would rather pay for college basketball (we are in college basketball country - think Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski and now Roy Williams).

[brightmidnight]

Yes, in situations like this, where the city would most likely have to lure a team away from another city, the taxpayers would almost certainly have to finance a stadium. Baseball stadiums now can run $500 million or even $1 billion. So it would be very expensive.

An NBA team would do better than a baseball team, I would imagine.

[boardmember10000]

yeah, I guess i forgot the minor paying for the stadium detail. Well it's a thought. There are so many fans from all over here you can get some great sports rivalry discussions.