OT: Pat Williams Trying to Bring MLB Team To Orlando

[Howard Mass]

Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams wants to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-baseball-orlando-1120-20191119-t2qlhg3p7bh4lgehb62e3y6ylq-story.html

Scott Anez has really been pushing this on the radio and I think Orlando would be a great home for The Rays if a new stadium does not work out there.

[Viper1500]

I have only tuned in for the playoffs the last few years but if we were to get a team, I'd invest my time and money.

[Ducklett]

It seems like the Rays don't have any interest in Orlando. They rather move to Canada LOL.

[Xatticus]

The Rays' ownership will want to move to the best market they can find. Regardless of whether or not that is Orlando, it would be a good thing for Orlando's chances if the Rays are out of Tampa. I can't imagine they would put a franchise in Orlando as long as there is one in Tampa.

[basketballRob]

If we build a field, they will come.

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[Knightro]

I am unequivocally opposed to this.

It’s clear that above all else MLB wants public money to fund the construction of new stadiums, so Pat Williams is really announcing a campaign to spend public money on baseball in Orlando.

To start a campaign to lure a team to Orlando without an owner who’s willing to pay for a building is egregiously irresponsible.

If Buddy Dyer is there, and he helps announces this right after re-election, it’ll feel very icky.

[basketballRob]

I am unequivocally opposed to this.

It’s clear that above all else MLB wants public money to fund the construction of new stadiums, so Pat Williams is really announcing a campaign to spend public money on baseball in Orlando.

To start a campaign to lure a team to Orlando without an owner who’s willing to pay for a building is egregiously irresponsible.

If Buddy Dyer is there, and he helps announces this right after re-election, it’ll feel very icky.

Well if it was the money that they used for the Amway it was from a tourist tax and it wouldn't cost you a penny. They created that additional tax that they have on rooms that hotels rent to reinvest that money into tourism. A baseball stadium would add to tourism. I guess they could just add more on the convention center.

That's such a big misconception that things like this will cost me tax money.

By law they can't use a tourist tax on roads and stuff, it has to be reinvested into tourism.

I'm not currently in the tourism industry or benefit from it but I have to deal with the traffic from it. Why not get something that we can use and it would also create more tourism.

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[Max Power]

I’m not a huge baseball fan but I’d support a team if one came here. It sounds to my like Dyer is behind the idea. The Rays moving here would be great if Tampa doesn’t build a stadium for them. The stadium there is small and long in the tooth.

Tax money and financials aside I’ve always hoped Orlando would get a baseball team and NHL franchise. I’ve never thought Orlando could pull off the ultimate prize of an NFL franchise.

[nymets1]

Only way it works is there's no way MLB team in Tampa, I don't see an MLB team in both Orlando and Tampa when there's an additional team the Miami Marlins. Florida no way they have 3 MLB teams. So we would have to take on the Rays franchise in Orlando and either call the team(Orlando Rays or switch the nickname).

I think we should do the same with the Buccaneers or Jaguars. Bring that franchise to Orlando and change the nickname from Buccaneers or Jaguars to something else. Florida has 3 NFL teams so if Orlando to get one, We need to get the Buccaneers or Jaguars franchise.

[Optimus_Steel]

I am unequivocally opposed to this.

It’s clear that above all else MLB wants public money to fund the construction of new stadiums, so Pat Williams is really announcing a campaign to spend public money on baseball in Orlando.

To start a campaign to lure a team to Orlando without an owner who’s willing to pay for a building is egregiously irresponsible.

If Buddy Dyer is there, and he helps announces this right after re-election, it’ll feel very icky.

Well if it was the money that they used for the Amway it was from a tourist tax and it wouldn't cost you a penny. They created that additional tax that they have on rooms that hotels rent to reinvest that money into tourism. A baseball stadium would add to tourism. I guess they could just add more on the convention center.

That's such a big misconception that things like this will cost me tax money.

By law they can't use a tourist tax on roads and stuff, it has to be reinvested into tourism.

I'm not currently in the tourism industry or benefit from it but I have to deal with the traffic from it. Why not get something that we can use and it would also create more tourism.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I'm with Knightro on this. We should not be using tax money, regardless of the source, to give wealthfare to the rich and powerful. Reality is the MLB can afford to finance a stadium if they really wanted it to but they are trying to get a massive public handout.

In terms of the Florida State law stating hotel taxes can only be used for tourism related items, it is a law that was designed, lobbied and and paid for by the executives of hotels companies and theme parks to give themselves more wealthfare. These people should not be dictating where the money goes, it should go to enhance the community where the taxes are being generated. Everyday Floridans weren't the ones begging the legislature to give the tourism industry control over hotel tax revenues.

You are saying the tax is not affecting you or us but it is affecting us, we have one of the worst transportation infrastructures in the country. These hotel/tourist taxes could be used to enhance our roads which we all use, including the tourists. There is a reason they are putting a toll on some I-4 lanes (totally misguided and won't help solve the traffic issues, it will be dynamic pricing meaning that in rush hour the toll lanes could go up to $14) because the politicans refused to invest the money necessary on transportation. There is a reason why it cost an arm and a leg in tolls to go east to west in the 408 (don't you find it ridiculous there are tolls every few miles). The public transportation here is a joke. I understand that it is Florida law but it's a give away to the large tourism corporations at the expense of all of us citizens.

[basketballRob]

I am unequivocally opposed to this.

It’s clear that above all else MLB wants public money to fund the construction of new stadiums, so Pat Williams is really announcing a campaign to spend public money on baseball in Orlando.

To start a campaign to lure a team to Orlando without an owner who’s willing to pay for a building is egregiously irresponsible.

If Buddy Dyer is there, and he helps announces this right after re-election, it’ll feel very icky.

Well if it was the money that they used for the Amway it was from a tourist tax and it wouldn't cost you a penny. They created that additional tax that they have on rooms that hotels rent to reinvest that money into tourism. A baseball stadium would add to tourism. I guess they could just add more on the convention center.

That's such a big misconception that things like this will cost me tax money.

By law they can't use a tourist tax on roads and stuff, it has to be reinvested into tourism.

I'm not currently in the tourism industry or benefit from it but I have to deal with the traffic from it. Why not get something that we can use and it would also create more tourism.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I'm with Knightro on this. We should not be using tax money, regardless of the source, to give wealthfare to the rich and powerful. Reality is the MLB can afford to finance a stadium if they really wanted it to but they are trying to get a massive public handout.

In terms of the Florida State law stating hotel taxes can only be used for tourism related items, it is a law that was designed, lobbied and and paid for by the executives of hotels companies and theme parks to give themselves more wealthfare. These people should not be dictating where the money goes, it should go to enhance the community where the taxes are being generated. Everyday Floridans weren't the ones begging the legislature to give the tourism industry control over hotel tax revenues.

You are saying the tax is not affecting you or us but it is affecting us, we have one of the worst transportation infrastructures in the country. These hotel/tourist taxes could be used to enhance our roads which we all use, including the tourists. There is a reason they are putting a toll on some I-4 lanes (totally misguided and won't help solve the traffic issues, it will be dynamic pricing meaning that in rush hour the toll lanes could go up to $14) because the politicans refused to invest the money necessary on transportation. There is a reason why it cost an arm and a leg in tolls to go east to west in the 408 (don't you find it ridiculous there are tolls every few miles). The public transportation here is a joke. I understand that it is Florida law but it's a give away to the large tourism corporations at the expense of all of us citizens.

Orange county brings in a huge amount of tourist tax dollars. I'm not see how they could legally use this on roads. If they added another wing to the convention center would you be upset? It's the same difference. A baseball stadium would generate money from visitors to the community. Expecting a corporation or individual to foot the whole bill for a stadium doesn't really seem fair when the community is also benefitting. The county shouldn't pay 100% of the cost but a portion.

You do know we wouldn't have the Magic here or the Dr. Phillips performing arts center without tourist tax money.



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[basketballRob]

I am unequivocally opposed to this.

It’s clear that above all else MLB wants public money to fund the construction of new stadiums, so Pat Williams is really announcing a campaign to spend public money on baseball in Orlando.

To start a campaign to lure a team to Orlando without an owner who’s willing to pay for a building is egregiously irresponsible.

If Buddy Dyer is there, and he helps announces this right after re-election, it’ll feel very icky.

Well if it was the money that they used for the Amway it was from a tourist tax and it wouldn't cost you a penny. They created that additional tax that they have on rooms that hotels rent to reinvest that money into tourism. A baseball stadium would add to tourism. I guess they could just add more on the convention center.

That's such a big misconception that things like this will cost me tax money.

By law they can't use a tourist tax on roads and stuff, it has to be reinvested into tourism.

I'm not currently in the tourism industry or benefit from it but I have to deal with the traffic from it. Why not get something that we can use and it would also create more tourism.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I'm with Knightro on this. We should not be using tax money, regardless of the source, to give wealthfare to the rich and powerful. Reality is the MLB can afford to finance a stadium if they really wanted it to but they are trying to get a massive public handout.

In terms of the Florida State law stating hotel taxes can only be used for tourism related items, it is a law that was designed, lobbied and and paid for by the executives of hotels companies and theme parks to give themselves more wealthfare. These people should not be dictating where the money goes, it should go to enhance the community where the taxes are being generated. Everyday Floridans weren't the ones begging the legislature to give the tourism industry control over hotel tax revenues.

You are saying the tax is not affecting you or us but it is affecting us, we have one of the worst transportation infrastructures in the country. These hotel/tourist taxes could be used to enhance our roads which we all use, including the tourists. There is a reason they are putting a toll on some I-4 lanes (totally misguided and won't help solve the traffic issues, it will be dynamic pricing meaning that in rush hour the toll lanes could go up to $14) because the politicans refused to invest the money necessary on transportation. There is a reason why it cost an arm and a leg in tolls to go east to west in the 408 (don't you find it ridiculous there are tolls every few miles). The public transportation here is a joke. I understand that it is Florida law but it's a give away to the large tourism corporations at the expense of all of us citizens.

Also it's not a Florida tax, it's and Orange county tax. They charge 6.5% on top of the 6% for a total of 12.5% on rooms they rent in Orange county.

I-4 is a state road, paid with state money.

I read the description of the tax before and it says in black and white that the money can be used for stadiums and arenas. How could they legally create a tax to specifically pay for something and then use it for something else?

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[tiderulz]

Only way it works is there's no way MLB team in Tampa, I don't see an MLB team in both Orlando and Tampa when there's an additional team the Miami Marlins. Florida no way they have 3 MLB teams. So we would have to take on the Rays franchise in Orlando and either call the team(Orlando Rays or switch the nickname).

I think we should do the same with the Buccaneers or Jaguars. Bring that franchise to Orlando and change the nickname from Buccaneers or Jaguars to something else. Florida has 3 NFL teams so if Orlando to get one, We need to get the Buccaneers or Jaguars franchise.

I dont see ORlando being able to support 3 teams. i barely envision them being able to support 2 teams

[NSB_Magic]

I love the idea of having another pros sports franchise in Orlando, I just can’t see investing money into a dying sport. Let’s just be real here.. baseball is falling off.

[MagicMadness]

Orlando Dreamers ??

lol, wtf. Glad I'm already a fan of a different team.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Orlando Dreamers ??

lol, wtf. Glad I'm already a fan of a different team.

clipart logo

[MagicMadness]

Orlando Dreamers ??

lol, wtf. Glad I'm already a fan of a different team.

clipart logo

Wow, yikes.

I'm guessing the name and logo are just (extremely) generic place marks? What a bad way to drum up excitement...

(Pat Williams is still a legend though!)

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Orlando Dreamers ??

lol, wtf. Glad I'm already a fan of a different team.

clipart logo

Wow, yikes.

I'm guessing the name and logo are just (extremely) generic place marks? What a bad way to drum up excitement...

(Pat Williams is still a legend though!)

definitely generic place mark but goodness get a kid from UCF in digitization/photoshop to come up with a better logo. It's like they made this after a 3am binger at the bar.

[Viper1500]

https://orlandodreamers.com/

Their "official" website, for anyone who is interested

[3ddman23]

I'm already a fan of an mlb team but I would be all for this if it can actually materialize. Would fully support and buy season tickets. Love going to live baseball games