Ottawa officials wanting a bidding war for an Ottawa Stadium lease are probably disappointed that only one bid, from Mandalay Baseball Properties, has been submitted.
Ken Grey brings word on the state of bids for the ballpark:
A source close to the negotiations says Mandalay Sports Entertainment and Professional Sports Catering have the Minor League Baseball-sanctioned bid to put a team in the currently vacant Conventry Road stadium.
The deal keys on how much money Rogers Communications is prepared to ante up to cover costs of stadium renovation and other related building activities at the site. The source did not know how those negotiations were going.
Of course, the smart folks in Ottawa knew there would never be a bidding war. For starters: MiLB doesn’t allow teams to approach markets anymore with multiple bids: the feeding frenzy in Greenville some years ago caused changes in how open markets are allocated. Second, even though the economics of the deal shifted to force the city and corporate partners like Rogers to put up more money, putting a team in Ottawa will still require significant resources — the kind of resources you normally don’t find in more modest independent leagues like the Can-Am League, which put two teams in Ottawa Stadium after the move of the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League).
The deal does call for some ballpark investment by Mandalay and Professional Sports Catering (we’ve been told it’s a routine concessions investment for PSC; the firm normally upgrades ballpark concessions after signing a deal with a new team), but not nearly approaching the levels originally pitched by city officials to Beacon Sports Capital Partners, the company brokering the deal. As originally negotiated, a minor-league operator would have been in for over $21 million by the time a franchise purchase was included. That number is now closer to $15 million, including a franchise purchase, with the city committing to between $10 million and $30 million in ballpark improvements.
mage of Ottawa Stadium via flickr.com.
RELATED STORIES: Ottawa baseball deal in final stretch; Ottawa approves outlines of ballpark spending; specifics to be decided; Ottawa moves forward on changes to ballpark-renovation financing plan; Ottawa revamps ballpark financing plan; Mayor to pitch Blue Jays on charms of Ottawa Stadium; Mandalay Baseball Properties on the block; Mandalay, PSC exploring Ottawa; Ottawa deal far from certain: owners; Eastern League to Ottawa in 2014; Will affiliated ball return to Ottawa?; Beacon makes it official: no Ottawa EL team in 2013; Fisher Cats, Blue Jays extend PDC; Blue Jays expected to re-up with Fisher Cats; Local group launches season-ticket drive for Ottawa baseball; Ottawa ballpark will sport artificial turf — per request of parent team?; Ottawa committee approves $5.7 million in ballpark improvements; Blue Jays GM: We’re not shifting affiliation to Ottawa; It’s official: Eastern League to Ottawa in 2013; Report: Eastern League to Ottawa in 2013; Ottawa puts off ballpark decision; Ottawa baseball bid losing steam?; No, Canada; Group seeks Ottawa Stadium lease for 2013 and beyond; Ottawa out of running for SWB Yankees — but in line for affiliated ball; NY Yankees making moves with minor-league teams; Fat Cats owners may seek affiliated team for Ottawa; Valcke: Baseball can work in Ottawa; Ottawa: Ballpark should be converted to concert venue; Affiliated ball may be returning to Ottawa
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!