Sixers are building a new arena in Center City.
It’s based on Rule 52. And that rule still exists.
Durham would have to approve of it and then they would have to head to arbitration where Raleigh would be forced to pay a percentage of their earnings to Durham for encroachment. The Bulls simply have nothing to gain by allowing it. But if somehow they did, with land costing what it does today, it would never make financial sense to build a minor league stadium.
For context, the Durham Bulls bring in south of $50 million per year, while a small market MLB team (let’s use the Reds for this example) bring in $266 million per year.
These were all factors we researched prior to launching MLB Raleigh.
I love baseball and I’d love to have a Minor League team, but there are rules blocking it and it makes no financial sense. We also thought through an independent league team, but when we looked at financials for that, it didn’t make sense either.
Honestly, when you dig in and really get into the details of it all. The only baseball that could ever come to Raleigh at this point is Major League Baseball. Durham couldn’t block it with Rule 52 (bc MLB is a higher league) and if it were to be established (paid for by investors) you have the population, income, and soon the corporations here put it on par with other small market cities (income wise).
12 Likes
Actually, as of Feb. 12, 2021, Rule 52 does not exist. It has been superseded by the new Professional Development League and Attachment 26 to Rule 26.
Attachment 26 provides that Wake County will be shared by Durham (AAA) and Carolina (A). So it appears there’d be no impediment to the Mudcats moving to downtown Raleigh if they were so inclined, although it doesn’t appear that they are. The Commissioner has the authority to change the PDL, although it’s not clear to me what limitations, if any, exist on that power.
But Rule 52 is, in fact, nonexistent now, and all understandings based on the former Rule 52 are indeed out of date.
12 Likes
Well damn, I don’t give a damn about baseball but would certainly champion the Mudcats moving to the DT South area or even further out, if it still means it’s closer to the city!
3 Likes
All sorts of minor league teams have built stadiums recently (kannapolis, fayetteville,…). I think a $50-$75 million stadium is infinitely more feasible than a $1 billion MLB stadium.
Shoot, Raleigh could even incentive it by offering their 6 acres here…
9 Likes
High Point has a pretty new stadium for the Rockers, and they’re not even MiLB. I actually walked by it recently and was really impressed. No reason Raleigh couldn’t swing something like that.
5 Likes
If that’s the case, there’s no good reason why the Mudcats shouldn’t be looking at a Downtown (or at least ITB) Raleigh ballpark. Five County Stadium would need to be torn down to the studs to make it on par with modern minor league parks, and they would undoubtedly draw more, perhaps double, if they were more centrally-located. I’m surprised they’re asking the county for renovation money when they have so much to gain by moving west a few miles.
6 Likes
Please concede Minor League Baseball is a no-go no higher settle for more for Raleigh.
David thanks for pointing that out. I was wrong. Rule 52 is no longer listed in the rule book as of last year. However, now they have territories listed which is interesting.
What it seems like they basically did was instead of the 30 mile rule, they just designated counties. Wake is shared by Bulls/Mudcats. So I guess the Mudcats could move to Raleigh, but a new minor league team could not move in (unless they got permission / went through some legal process with the Bull/Mudcats).
I still don’t see it happening unless someone like Kane, who already owns a swathe like DT South, wants to anchor it with a sports stadium and use it to bring people to his district. But I’m all for it! I think it would face the same criticism and hurdles as the current ‘soccer stadium’ plan. Not a huge appetite for a low-level minor league team if it’s on the taxpayer’s dime. I’d vote for it, but I’m skeptical a majority would.
So my mistake for saying it’s ‘not possible’ for MILB or a smaller league team to come to Raleigh, the new rule puts the Mudcats on the table. However I still believe its a long shot and Raleigh should save its ammo for a big MLB push.
9 Likes
It’s already been proven in the market via the Bulls that minor league baseball can be successful given the right experience for fans. Obviously price of a ticket is one of the things that makes it possible. IMO, if we were to have a minor league team, I’d want that stadium WALKABLE to a broad swath of residents downtown, and not just those who live in a new urbanism development like DTS and a few nearby neighbors.
9 Likes
I have just emailed Mayor MAB, Mr. Kane, Mr. Malik, Sid Hutchinson, Wake County Commissioner & Vicky Adamson, Wake County Commissioner. I let them know about Rule 26 & also the voided Rule 52.
I asked them to consider moving The Mudcats to DTSouth instead of granting the $15 million stadium upgrade in Zebulon. I mention having both soccer & baseball share the stadium. I also mention The Atlantic League if they did not want to move The Mudcats to Raleigh. Would any of you be interested in also writing them? Just A Thought!
3 Likes
how difficult would it be for minor league to come to DTR with a stadium design and site that could be ‘relatively easily’ upgraded to accomodate MLB if raleigh becomes a serious MLB prospect? does that involve too much wrangling with the existing minor leage team?
6 Likes
Did not know that. Well, i guess we need to push harder for a ballpark/ stadium in dt after all. Not to mention KC doesn’t have a team dt, but does have the T-mobile center.
We went to a Rockers game in 2019 & loved it. It is a nice stadium. Stadium & land is owned by the city. $36 million. Actually a Raleigh Leader went there & talked to some High Point City Leaders.
1 Like
This is a good point downtown South would be a catalyst. And just eliminate concern for the billionaire in having to pitch a stadium.
It’s not really feasible to build a minor league stadium that can be upgraded to Major League specifications. Some cities have kicked around this idea, but it’s never been done because the logistical challenges are pretty insuperable.
1 Like
Looks like a consortium, which includes the Jazz owner, is throwing Salt Lake City into the mix.
EDIT Interesting part I read was there’s already a Triple A team within Salt Lake City too. The Salt Lake Bees are the LA Angels affiliate.
2 Likes
Obviously having big money behind something like this can make all the difference, but SLC seems way down the list of options that make sense for a new MLB team.
1 Like
Steve Malik you zoned for a stadium you could still collaborate with Tom Dundon,
2 Likes
Just get Dundon in with one of the billionaires in town and build a stadium in Downtown South and we are rolling.
3 Likes