Acquisition of franchise for Richmond only part of the process

May 3, 2009      Richmond Times-Dispatch

John O'Connor

May 3, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Once the sale of the Class AA Connecticut franchise to Richmond Baseball Club LC is finalized and announced, hold off on the ticker-tape parade celebrating professional baseball's 2010 return to Richmond.

Continue to wait if a consultant's analysis, the Davenport report, is released and endorses the proposed $318 million Shockoe Center and its $60 million ballpark.

There still is ground to cover.

If the purchase by Bryan Bostic's RBC (NYSE:RY) is accomplished neither he nor Lou DiBella, Connecticut's president/managing partner, chose to comment on the deal's status a few days ago 15 or so investors from Richmond will put up roughly $15 million and own an Eastern League franchise in Connecticut. It doesn't mean that franchise will relocate to Richmond, though that is obviously RBC's intention.

Minor League Baseball, which oversees all farm clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball, must approve RBC's relocation application, which has not been filed. Without approval, the franchise doesn't shift to Richmond, regardless of ownership.

Minor League Baseball's vice president for legal affairs, Scott Poley, said The Diamond is not an acceptable long-term venue for professional baseball. Before Minor League Baseball approves the relocation application, it wants to see a firm plan for a new Richmond ballpark. An update on that subject is "one of the things we'd collect as part of the information-gathering related to a relocation application," Poley said.

RBC might be able to gain relocation approval if the city does not have a firm plan for a new stadium. But the new Richmond franchise, Poley warned, in that case would be in jeopardy of another move following a relatively short stay at The Diamond.

"There have been some cities here and there that, probably markets not as good as Richmond, but that have had a situation where there was an old ballpark and they never got around to building a new one," Poley said. "What happens is a team might stop there for a couple of years and use it as a way station."

Minor League Baseball tries to avoid those arrangements, according to Poley. "That's why we're really hoping that Richmond can get a new ballpark done," he said. "We would like a franchise to get established, get some roots in the community, and be part of the community."

The Davenport report, financed by the city, is expected to reach a conclusion regarding Shockoe Center's viability. That is only a recommendation. The city will ultimately determine if Shockoe Center, and its stadium, will materialize.

The Boulevard area, where The Diamond is located, remains a potential site for a new ballpark financed through multi-jurisdictional cooperation, in the estimation of James Jenkins, the chairman of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority board of directors. The RMA owns and operates The Diamond.

"Henrico and Chesterfield, as well as Hanover, are standing and waiting to see what the city does," said Jenkins. He believes The Boulevard is the best area for a ballpark because of its surface-level parking and access by major roads.

"If I was going to spend $15, $16 million for [a franchise], I'd want to know it is going to play in a place that's convenient for fans," Jenkins said. Bostic strongly supports Shockoe Center. Jenkins added that his opinion does not necessarily reflect the position of the RMA.

RBC's quest to purchase the Connecticut franchise has taken much longer than the parties involved projected, but the deal is expected to be completed soon. RBC will operate the Connecticut franchise in Norwich this season, then if Minor League Baseball approves shift it to Richmond and The Diamond next season.

To the RMA, RBC will pay annual rent of $130,000. Additional funds from the RMA and RBC will be required to make The Diamond suitable for players and fans. The stadium, opened in 1985, hasn't been home to a minor-league team since Atlanta's Class AAA club played there in early September of 2008.

The RMA, according to general manager Mike Berry, will supply $75,500 toward work necessary to make The Diamond acceptable for use next season.

"Let me hasten to add, it does not come from a toll road," said Berry.

The RMA also operates area toll roads.

Berry said that the RMA is "going through the facility with the RBC folks to make sure that they have a very, very, very clear understanding of the condition of the facility. And then we need to work together to figure out how they are going to be able to accommodate their fans in 2010, 2011, and maybe the 2012 season.

"Some things that they may want to consider are things that could easily be transferred to a new facility. Some things may not be as easy. They're going to have to make those choices, but there's a set amount in the contract that we will commit, and that's as good as it gets."

The Diamond needs painting, probably a new scoreboard, furniture for the executive offices, clubhouse furnishings, and other necessities, according to Berry.

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Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or joconnor@timesdispatch.com.

Newstex ID: 34615555

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