A sale of the Florence Freedom (independent; Frontier League) to a group of local investors has been finalized, and it is expected the team will remain at UC Health Stadium beyond its current September 2020 lease expiration.
The new owner, Freedom Baseball Club LLC, is backed by four local businesspeople: David DelBello, formerly of Procter & Gamble and president of DelBello Holdings; Brian Bortz, president of Towne Building Group; Danny Heilbrunn, owner of DJH Management; and Matt Kappers, managing director at Concordia Financial Group.
The Freedom have played at UC Health Stadium since 2004, when the facility debuted under the name Champion Window Field. Kim Brown has been leading the Freedom since the January 2018 passing of her husband Clint Brown, who purchased the club out of bankruptcy in 2004 and helped turn it into one of the steadier operations in the Frontier League. From the Cincinnati Enquirer:
“We are thrilled to work with the city of Florence as we continue the tradition of Frontier League baseball in Northern Kentucky,” said DelBello….
“The city is excited by Freedom Baseball Club, LLC’s acquisition of our hometown team – the Florence Freedom,” said Florence Mayor Diane Whalen. “Their love and passion for the game is apparent, and we are looking forward to a long-term partnership with them as we learn more about what the future holds for our team and UC Health Stadium.”
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