Orlando, Florida is synonymous with theme parks, drawing millions of tourists each year. This popularity is one reason the Orlando Dreamers consider it an ideal location for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. The Dreamers, led by co-founder and COO Jim Schnorf, believe the city’s strong tourism industry and significant media market make a compelling case for MLB expansion.
Orlando’s Unique Position
Unlike places like Nashville and Charlotte, Orlando lacks major or minor league baseball teams. Schnorf highlighted this unique situation, noting, “We have no Major League Baseball here. We don’t have minor league, and we don’t have spring training.” He pointed out that all other competing cities have some level of professional baseball tied to them.
Orlando is also the largest media market in the United States without an MLB team. Schnorf emphasized the city’s tourism appeal, with over 80 million visitors annually. He compared it to Las Vegas, where tourism helped establish successful professional sports teams.
The Stadium Vision
The Dreamers aim to build an MLB-quality stadium south of downtown Orlando, near major attractions like SeaWorld and Walt Disney World. They hope to finance this through the tourism resort tax revenue that Orange County generates. However, a task force recently did not recommend moving forward with the project due to various factors, including the timing within an election cycle.
The Dreamers’ presentation was limited to fifteen minutes, during which they requested $975 million. Schnorf commented on the challenge, “To put that in perspective, we got only 15 minutes to present that package.” Despite this, the Dreamers report securing over $2 billion in commitments for stadium financing and team acquisition.
Challenges and Optimism
Bringing MLB to Orlando faces hurdles. The presence of Florida franchises like the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, both known for lower attendance, complicates the situation. However, Schnorf remains optimistic. He referenced California’s expansion in 1969 when it supported five teams despite having a smaller population than Florida has today.
Schnorf affirmed, “Orlando is the fastest-growing metro area in the fastest-growing state in the country. We can definitely support Major League Baseball here.”
Orlando Dreamers’ pursuit of an MLB team highlights the city’s potential as a new sports hub, driven by tourism and demographic growth.
Matthew Reigle is a writer for OutKick.