Orlando Eyes MLB Team, Citing Tourism Success

Orlando is positioning itself as a prime candidate for a Major League Baseball expansion team, highlighting its unique market advantages. Co-founder Jim Schnorf points out the significant absence of professional baseball at any level within the Central Florida market, an anomaly compared to other competing cities. This lack of competition, combined with Orlando's status as a major media market without an MLB presence, presents a compelling case.

The city's unparalleled tourism industry is a cornerstone of the bid. Drawing over 80 million visitors annually, Orlando's tourism model is seen as a proven pathway to sports success, mirroring developments in Las Vegas. The Dreamers organization has secured over $2 billion in commitments for stadium financing and team acquisition through letters of intent.

Future plans include a state-of-the-art stadium, with proposals suggesting the use of Orange County's tourism resort tax funds for its construction. Despite an initial setback where a task force did not recommend the stadium project, likely due to timing and presentation constraints, the organization remains optimistic about Orlando's potential to support a third Florida-based MLB team, citing historical precedents of states with multiple teams.