Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin is joining a bold push to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando, signing on as ambassador for the Orlando Dreamers organization.
“Nothing could be more exciting than being a key part of this effort in my adopted home of Orlando, Florida,” Larkin said after careful discussions with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Dreamers leadership.
The Dreamers aren’t just dreaming – they’ve already secured $450 million in verbal commitments from investors. Their ambitious plans include building a domed stadium next to SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center.
It’s a prime spot in America’s largest TV market without an MLB team.
The timing couldn’t be more interesting. Just up the road, the Tampa Bay Rays are struggling to fund their new stadium in St. Petersburg. They face a critical March 31 deadline to come up with their share of the money.
That’s caught the attention of Dreamers co-founder Jim Schnorf, who’s made it clear he’d love to lure the Rays to Orlando.
Florida’s track record with baseball has been rocky. Despite two World Series titles for the Miami Marlins and the Rays’ competitive runs, both teams have struggled to fill seats. They’ve been among MLB’s bottom four in attendance every year since 2013.
But Orlando might be different. The tourist-heavy location and planned rail station access could be game-changers.
“The unmatched proposed stadium location in the heart of the tourist corridor provides a huge competitive advantage,” Larkin explained.
The Dreamers aren’t alone in chasing big league dreams. Portland, Salt Lake City, and Nashville all have groups working to land teams. MLB Commissioner Manfred has talked about adding two new teams in the coming years, though maybe not before he retires in 2029.
It’s been 27 years since MLB last expanded – its longest stretch without adding teams since 1961. With expansion fees expected to hit billions of dollars, team owners might find it hard to resist much longer.
The Dreamers organization was started in 2019 by Pat Williams, who helped bring the NBA’s Orlando Magic to life. Though Williams has passed away, his vision of Major League Baseball in Orlando is very much alive.
