It pained me to read Mike Bianchi’s Aug. 15 column, “Dreamers strike out yet again.” It was an excellent column trying to get the decision-makers of Orlando to wake up on the topic of baseball.
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This is a golden opportunity to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando. We must put out the welcome mat, take bold and innovative action, and believe — instead of putting our heads in the Florida sand.
Let’s use Las Vegas as an example of creating a championship city — now known for more than gambling. I believe Orlando can become a championship city known for more than theme parks.
Las Vegas got itself an NFL football franchise, with Fernando Mendoza as the Heisman Trophy-winning No. 1 overall draft pick at quarterback and Tom Brady as Super Bowl-winning part-owner. Las Vegas has an NHL hockey team — an elite perennial powerhouse. Las Vegas recently maneuvered to feature a high-profile Formula 1 race in their city each year, showcasing the best race car drivers in the world. And in Las Vegas, at the start of the 2028 MLB season, they’ll have a professional baseball team to play in their new $1.5 billion stadium.
Sound familiar? They thought ahead, took bold action and attracted a well-known, high-quality baseball team from Oakland to relocate to their city with a new stadium and strong support of city leaders. Orlando can, and must, think ahead, take bold action, and attract a well-known, high-quality baseball team in Tampa to move up I-4 and relocate in our city at a new $2.1 billion stadium.
The only thing holding us back is a lack of vision and leadership from Orange County and the City of Orlando. The Dreamers sure have vision — a sound plan and people identified who are willing to use their influence and put up billions of dollars. They have a plan of how to do this.
Is this a guarantee? Of course not. Almost nothing great accomplished in the world comes with a guarantee. It’s about taking risks, going against the grain, and upending conventional wisdom. Is it a great idea? You bet it is.
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What would Orlando be without the Orlando Magic? That same guy, Pat Williams, was the co-founder who brought NBA basketball to Orlando and served as the team’s first GM. As an avid Orlando Magic fan, I would feel horrible if we did not have this team.
I would go see baseball games when we have an MLB team, rooting for our home team and watching teams from Cincinnati, Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc.
Besides the hometown fans, imagine all of the out-of-town families coming to visit Disney, Universal or SeaWorld who could go to see a professional baseball game. The proposed ballpark location is just off I-4 and 528 — close to the airport and International Drive.
I would like to see Mayor Buddy Dyer become a visible and vocal proponent for this new baseball team. Anna Eskamani, a leading contender to become Orlando’s next mayor, has expressed support for bringing Major League Baseball to the region. I hope the new Orange County Mayor will consider this opportunity carefully and weigh the long-term benefits of having a pro baseball team in Orlando. Visit Orlando already supports this effort. More people will visit our great city. This should expand tourist tax dollars in the county.
The Dreamers have also proposed having some team and stadium revenues going to more housing, improved transportation and better infrastructure. Another community-minded innovation.
Let’s make this happen.
Bradley D. Blum of Winter Park is the former president of Olive Garden, vice chairman of Darden Restaurants and CEO of Burger King.
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