The American Association could place a team in Rosemont, IL by 2018, according to league commissioner Miles Wolff.
Using land that was once pitched for a new Chicago Cubs ballpark, Rosemont is teaming up with experienced sports executives in Shawn Hunter and Steven Gluckstern to build a facility that will house an American Association franchise. Along with the ballpark, the project is expected to lead to a larger development known as the Pearl District, which will feature a hotel, office space, and other amenities.
To this point the target opening date for the facility has been the spring of 2018, thereby allowing it to be ready in time for the American Association season. While the process if not finalized, Wolff says that if everything moves forward as expected, the league will likely approve Rosemont’s entry. More from Journal Online:
Once construction begins on a stadium, Wolff notes, it takes about a year to complete. He expects once the application for a franchise is submitted and approved minor league baseball could begin in Rosemont in May 2018.
Right now, plans for naming the team are still being developed.
“I don’t know what the team name will be or how that will be selected,” he said. “Once the application is approved we expect to meet with Rosemont officials and finalize the team.” He expects that to happen in the next couple of months.
The American Association recently added Cleburne Railroaders as a replacement for the Joplin Blasters for 2017, putting the league at 12 teams for next season.
Rendering courtesy of Snow Krelich Architects.
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