Several years ago, I wrote a series of articles making the case that Orlando is the ideal landing spot for the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2019, the late founder of the Orlando Magic (NBA) Pat Williams established an organization dedicated to bringing MLB to Orlando. The Orlando Dreamers project drew some moderate attention in those days, but the July 2024 stadium deal between the Rays and Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) seemed to take the wind out of the sails of Orlando’s dreams.
The damage to Tropicana Field as a result of Hurricane Milton, however, suddenly reshaped the future of baseball in Tampa Bay. The new St. Pete ballpark project is no more, leaving the Rays without a home following the 2028 season. As a result, the Rays are back to square one in their stadium search. Enter the Orlando Dreamers, once again.
In recent months, the Orlando Dreamers project has taken on new life in a big way. The Dreamers have secured a $1.5 billon investment toward a stadium deal in the near SeaWorld in Orlando. The group is led by Hall of Famer Barry Larkin and have revealed plans for the site of a new ballpark, as well as named their anchor investors. The Dreamers are now in the process of openly campaigning to bring an MLB franchise to Orlando.
Dream or Reality?
The case for bringing MLB to Orlando remains as strong as ever. The population of the Orlando area has continued to grow in recent years. Orlando is the largest market in the country without an MLB franchise. The support for the Magic and Orlando City (MLS) remains strong, fueling the desire for more professional sports in the area.
Perhaps the best asset in Orlando is the endless flow of tourism, driven by the theme parks. The recent opening of Universal’s Epic Universe only adds to the growth of Orlando’s tourism influx. The city remains the #1 tourist destination in the United States. This combination of local growth in population and endless tourism, puts Orlando in a unique position to attract a team. Relocating the Rays also makes perfect sense, given the inability to find a permanent solution in Tampa Bay. Moving the Rays to Orlando allows the team to maintain their Central Florida identity while maximizing the potential for ticket sales.
The ballpark’s planned location is also ideal. Rather than building a stadium downtown in proximity to the Kia Center, Inter&Co Stadium and the Camping World Stadium, the MLB franchise would play in the bustling I-Drive district. In close proximity to SeaWorld, Universal Studios and the Orange County Convention Center, the team would have built-in attractions surrounding the ballpark. It would be like The Battery Atlanta (Braves) on steroids.
This location would allow professional baseball to greatly benefit from tourists and convention goers, similar to the Athletics plans in Las Vegas. It would also become an alluring spot for destination games for high schools, colleges and the World Baseball Classic. All of these factors combined strengthen the case for why Orlando is the most logical destination for the Rays.
What’s Next?
On Monday June 16, the leaders involved in the Dreamers will meet to discuss the issue with local business leaders at the I-Drive Chamber of Commerce. Owner Dr. Rick Workman, Co-Owner John Morgan, COO Jim Schnorf and MLB Ambassador Barry Larkin are all scheduled to participate in a discussion regarding the future of MLB in Orlando.
In recent weeks, Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott has endorsed the Dreamers plan. The I-Drive Chamber event is the next step in presenting their case to the public. Legends on Deck will continue to provide updates on the Dreamers campaign as more news is revealed. This is certainly an exciting time for the future of baseball in the Orlando area.
Orlando Dreamers Principals to Make First Public Appearance Together on June 16 at International Drive Chamber Luncheon https://t.co/Qp41MyJPw7
— Orlando Dreamers (@OrlandoDreamers) June 11, 2025
