All entries filed under “Sports”

UPDATED: Atlanta Braves to enter talks about Spring Training Facilities in North Port

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Tuesday Mar 8, 2016 7:25 am

The Atlanta Braves are expected to begin negotiations with Sarasota County about relocating spring training to North Port. According to an email sent by County Administrator Tom Harmer to county commissioners, the Major League Baseball team wants to make a move because two other teams are moving spring training away from Central Florida next year. County Commissioners voted 5-0 today to start negotiations.

“We are excited and appreciative that West Villages and Sarasota County are working with us to potentially secure a beautiful, state-of-the-art, future Spring Training location for the Braves,” said Braves President John Schuerholz.

The Washington Nationals and Houston Astros, who train in Viera and Kissimmee respectively, will both move to Palm Beach County in Spring of 2017. While the Atlanta Braves have trained at the ESPN Wide World of Sports facilities at Walt Disney World for 19 years, the relocation of other teams has prompted a search for a site further south, according to Harmer's email. "The team, through their representatives, contacted Sarasota County to advise us that they are evaluating several potential Florida locations, including Sarasota County," reads a memo penned by Jeff Maultsby, Sarasota County director of business and economic development.

The West Villages Improvement District has proposed a site near State Road 41 and River Road to accomode a stadium, practice fields and other facilities. Maultsby's memo outlines an early concept to be discussed:

• The district has proposed to bond the project and oversee design and construction on donated land
• Sarasota County would support a deal through an as-yet-unspecifiied commitment of tourist development tax revenue. This is money raised through a bed tax charged on hotel stays and short-term lodging.
• The Atlanta Braves would sign a 30-year agreement with two five-year renewals built in.
• The district would apply for a grant from the state, which typically get issued to attract or retain MLB spring training operations within the state.

Rissler Named COO at Benderson Park

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Thursday Jun 18, 2015 3:26 pm

Nicole Rissler will leave her position as Visit Sarasota County sports director to be the new chief operating officer for Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center, the nonprofit that runs operations for Nathan Benderson Park. “I am honored to have this opportunity to be part of an amazing team of leaders and staff that are doing outstanding things for our community,” said Rissler. “I am delighted to have been asked to be part of this incredible community park and to assist in leaving a legacy for many generations to come.”

Rissler in her capacity as the county's sports commissioner has been deeply involved with Benderson Park before, working on behalf of Visit Sarasota County to land the 2017 World Rowing Championships. The move also shows a maturation at SANCA as it develops a permanent staff for an increasingly important sports venue. “We have been looking for the right candidate for more than a year and are very excited to have Nicole’s expertise to lift our organization to future greatness,” said Paul Blackketter, SANCA president. “Not only will she be able to sprint into the position, she will be a great addition to our team.”

The COO comes in with 14 years of nonprofit experience and a master's in Sports Administration. Previous work includes jobs at the YMCA, American Red Cross and Lynn University.

“Although a huge loss for Visit Sarasota County, we are thrilled for Nicole and know she will be an amazing asset to Nathan Benderson Park, and the SANCA team and our entire community,” commented Virginia Haley, president Visit Sarasota County.

Football League to Headquarter in Southwest Florida

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Friday Jun 5, 2015 5:01 pm

Major League Football, a new nationwide football league, confirmed it will headquarter in Manatee County and launch its first season in Spring of 2016. Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, where a press conference was held today, will provide training facilities for multiple teams. Officials say the league will not be a competitor to NFL, and will only place teams in emerging markets where there is not already an NFL team.

"We are here to help develop young men and their football skills," said Ivory Sully, executive president of the new league.

All teams in the league, ten are planned for the first season, will be owned by Major League Football, and at least one team will be based in Florida, specifically Orlando. No team will be headquartered in  Manatee County, at least at first. Teams have been announced for Little Rock, Arkansas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Manatee County Commissioners in May approved a $200,000 economic development incentive package to lure the league here. Since that time, officials have stringly suggested Southwest Florida would become the corporate headquarters for the operation.

Pirates Release Spring Training Schedule

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Monday Nov 10, 2014 10:47 am

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announed the team's 33-game schedule for the 2015 Spring Training season, including 15 home games at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. The team will see its spring season open... More »

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