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It’s official: New Biloxi ballpark to be MGM Park

Southern League logoWe’ve referenced this a few times, and now it’s official: MGM Resorts International has closed on a 20-year naming-rights deal for the new Biloxi ballpark, resulting in MGM Park.

“This is an exciting new era in Biloxi,” said Biloxi Baseball President Ken Young. “Retaining a worldwide brand like MGM will offer tremendous opportunity for our organization, people in the Gulf Coast region, and the Southern League. MGM is an entertainment leader and their support of this facility demonstrates their commitment to the community.”

“MGM Resorts International is proud to be an integral part of Biloxi baseball’s launch,” said George P. Corchis, Jr., President and COO of MGM Resorts International’s Southern Operations. “This sports and entertainment complex will be a vibrant part of the community. We’re looking forward to being part of a great fan experience, hosting community events and doing our part to give back to where we live, work and raise our families. Residents of the Gulf Coast can look forward to many great events taking place at MGM Park.”

The new ballpark, which will house the relocating Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League), will be located in downtown Biloxi at the corner of Caillavet Street and Highway 90 across from the Beau Rivage Resort. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant pledged $15 million and the Biloxi City Council approved up to $21 million in bonds for construction of the new stadium development. MGM Resorts International provided the key downtown real estate, a 15-acre parcel of land, for a $1 per year lease for the next 20 years.

In addition to baseball, plans call for MGM Park to host special events, including concerts and other entertainment or sporting events. The ballpark will feature a capacity of 6,000 people for baseball and potentially up to 18,000 people for other events. Opening date is still up in the air: it could happen sometime in 2015 or at the start of the 2016 season.

RELATED STORIES: Young: Stars may spend part of 2015 in Huntsville; Biloxi ballpark construction finally underway; Disaster in Biloxi: New ballpark may not be ready until August 2015; Biloxi ballpark bids busting budget; After almost 60K votes, Biloxi name-the-team contest ends; Biloxi “slammed” with name-the-team votes; Name-the-team finalists unveiled for Biloxi team; Biloxi scraps ballpark construction plan; seeks new project manager; Name-the-team contest underway in Biloxi; Rogers named GM; Field naming rights in Biloxi up for bid; Biloxi to issue bonds for new ballpark; Biloxi ballpark groundbreaking set for Thursday; New Biloxi ballpark draws interest from developers; It’s official: Huntsville Stars sold, expected to move to Biloxi in 2015

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