Local

Magic co-founder takes swing in effort to bring MLB team to Orlando, unveils new stadium design

By Alex Walker, WFTV.com and Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com
By Alex Walker, WFTV.com and Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams revealed plans for a proposed stadium to lure a Major League Baseball team to the City Beautiful.

Williams is leading the charge for a group called the Orlando City Baseball Dreamers.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The price tag for the proposed stadium is $1.7 billion and will be home to a Major League Baseball team, office space, retail shops, approximately 1,000 hotel rooms, and restaurants.

On Tuesday, Williams held a press conference unveiling the rendering of what the new stadium could look like.

Magic co-founder takes swing in effort to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando, unveils new stadium Design

This proposed stadium will seat 45,000 fans in a state-of-the-art facility on International Drive between State Road 528 and the Aquatica Orlando Water Park.

The Dreamers are set to meet with the Orange County Citizen Advisory Task Force on Friday and will ask for $975 million to come from the tourist development tax funds, with the other $700 million coming from team sources.

Read: Princess Cruises to begin sailing from Port Canaveral next year

Williams said an MLB team in Orlando would generate $40 billion over the next 30 years.

Williams said that Orlando could land a team through MLB expansion or by luring the Tampa Bay Rays from Saint Petersburg.

Read: NFL quarterback, college football coach Joe Kapp dies

“The stadium would make us the leading candidate for the next MLB franchise. Best media market, best stadium, best location – we have everything here in Orlando,” Williams said. “You don’t get many chances to add a professional sports franchise to your community. If we don’t act now, we may never have this opportunity again.”

No matter what happens this is Orlando’s final chance to land a major league baseball team, Williams added.

Read: New Florida bill gives second chance for Black farmers to get pot licenses

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group

Most Read