Kristen Rose has stepped down as president of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) amid reports that a sale of the team is at hand.
Rose will be a new executive vice president of Mandalay Baseball Properties, one of the two parties buying the SWB Yankees. “I have enjoyed my time as President of the SWB Yankees, but have decided for personal reasons, to relocate closer to family and take on a new role within Mandalay Baseball Properties,” she said in a press statement. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to build a team of talented and committed professionals that are second to none, and appreciate the strong relationships we have formed with our fans and our sponsors. I remain optimistic about the future of baseball in Scranton Wilkes-Barre, especially with the reconstructed stadium coming on-line. Although I will miss being a part of the next chapter, I am excited about my new venture and continuing my relationship with Mandalay Baseball Properties.”
The SWB Yankees are playing the entire season on the road during the planned $40-million renovation of PNC Field, which hasn’t yet begun. The sale of the team to Mandalay and the New York Yankees for $14.6 million has been delayed while the pair and Lackawanna County spar over the terms of a new 30-year lease for the ballpark and other sales issues. Renovation of the ballpark can’t take place until the sale closes; the proceeds will be used to help fund the renovations, with the state committing $25 million and the rest coming from the county. Though the two sides are reviewing final sale documents, no final hearing on the matter is scheduled, and Luzerne County — a co-owner of the team — is expected to litigate the matter once a deal is done.
“We have great respect and admiration for Kristen and thank her for all of her hard work here with the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Kristen led the team through a period of unforeseen challenges and uncertainty surrounding the future of the franchise and did an excellent job in building a strong staff and relationships throughout the community and we look forward to her continued contributions to Mandalay Baseball,” said Mandalay Baseball CEO Art Matin. “We are extremely enthusiastic about where the franchise is headed and we look forward with great anticipation to having our team back for the 2013 season in a stadium that we¹re confident all fans will be both excited by and proud of. The work to search for a replacement for Kristen is beginning immediately.”
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