Orlando Dreams of MLB Team
When you mention Orlando, Florida, it’s easy to think of theme parks.
That makes sense, as the city attracts millions of tourists each year, making it one of the most popular destinations globally. This, among other reasons, is why the Orlando Dreamers are hopeful that Central Florida could be home to a Major League Baseball team.
While cities like Nashville and Charlotte are often considered frontrunners for MLB expansion, Jim Schnouf, co-founder and COO of the Dreamers, feels that Orlando has unique advantages.
“Currently, we have neither major league nor minor league baseball here, nor are there any spring training facilities,” Schnouf said. “With the exception of one competing city, all others have Triple-A, and those without Triple-A at least have Double-A teams. It’s quite unusual for Orlando to lack professional baseball.”
Add to that the fact that Orlando sits as the biggest media market in the U.S. without an MLB team.
Then there’s the tourism aspect.
“This year, we expect over 80 million visitors, making us the most visited destination in the Western Hemisphere,” Schnouf pointed out. “Tourism is key. Just look at what’s happened in Las Vegas.”
Schnouf, who has a background with the late Pat Williams in promoting the Orlando Magic, referenced Las Vegas’s rapid transition from having no teams in the top professional leagues to being home to several in just about ten years.
He cited the successes of the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the relocation of the Las Vegas Raiders as proof that a city centered around tourism can sustain a major league team. “Tourism is crucial for the sport’s success,” he added.
It certainly plays a role in financial backing.
The Dreamers shared new designs for a high-tech stadium intended to be built near SeaWorld, conveniently located just off a major highway. They aim to fund this venture partly through tourist resort taxes collected in Orange County, Florida.
“Orlando generates more tourist resort taxes than any other metropolitan area in the nation, which can help pay for sports facilities, convention centers, and similar projects,” Schnouf explained.
There was a committee formed to evaluate such projects, but the stadium proposal was not recommended for progress. Schnouf wasn’t surprised, especially given the timing amid an election cycle. Condensing a comprehensive pitch into 15 minutes was, understandably, a challenge. “We asked for $975 million,” he explained, “and typically you’d have a day’s presentation after extensive preparation.”
Despite these hurdles, Schnouf stated that they’ve already invested significantly in the team. “We’ve got more than $2 billion lined up for financing the stadium and acquiring the franchise.”
Yet, even if the stadium becomes a reality, there’s the question of MLB’s interest in Orlando, particularly with the presence of the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, neither of which have a reputation for drawing large crowds.
But Schnouf referenced historical contexts, offering a different perspective. “People question how Florida could sustain a third team alongside the other two. Back in 1969, California had five teams with a much smaller population than Florida has today. Remember, Orlando is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the fastest-growing state.”
“So yes,” he concluded, “you can definitely support Major League Baseball here.”
