MLB fans have been clamoring for more teams to be added to the league. League Commissioner Rob Manfred has also shown interest in two new teams being added. This has led to several proposals coming through, one of which is from Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams. He has proposed a team to be introduced in Orlando, with a brand new $1.7 billion stadium. Most recently, he gave fans a closer look at the stadium design, leaving them upset.?
Florida has two MLB teams at the moment and this new team would be the third one. Although there is support from the League for two new teams to be introduced, Orlando may not make it. The reactions to the new stadium design have been surprising.
Pat Williams gives fans a look at the stadium design for his proposed MLB team
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In 1989, Pat Williams brought the Orlando Magic to the NBA along with his co-founders. Now he is trying to replicate that feat in MLB, by bringing a baseball team to the city. Most recently, he gave fans and experts a look at the stadium that he intends to design for the team. Fans are divided over the idea. Font Office Sports shared pictures of the proposed design on Twitter.
Here it is — Orlando's $1.7 billion MLB stadium proposal: pic.twitter.com/VNt0kl2RXN
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 9, 2023
In a Tweet, they said, ?Here it is ? Orlando’s $1.7 billion MLB stadium proposal:?. The design showcases a really upscale stadium that looks massive. Furthermore, in a response to their Tweet, Front Office Sports also said, ?Former NBA executive Pat Williams says he’s been interviewing potential team owners about Orlando’s MLB proposal.?
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The reactions to the stadium design have been mostly negative.
Some fans are unhappy about it.
Nobody asked for this. Just build a new stadium. Not a greenhouse!
— Incredible Duck (@Incredible_duck) May 9, 2023
They should have built this in Minneapolis, not Florida. The whole pount of Florida is to be outside.
— Rob Rath (@rathsiu) May 9, 2023
Way too big. Needs to be 15-20,000 capacity tops. We all know Florida doesn't support teams.
— Evil Jerry 😈 (@Redwine_13) May 10, 2023
Other fans are unhappy about the team in general.
The Tampa Bay rays an hour away can’t even get enough fans to games… why give Orlando a team lmao.
— tOSU 2023 Natty Champs (@AesculusGlabra_) May 10, 2023
No Florida doesn't need another sports team they won't support.
— B0_B0 (@B0_B0Kick) May 9, 2023
Florida already has two baseball teams they don't support.
— Anthony (@aeaswen) May 10, 2023
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Williams? Orlando-based team seems to have the most concrete plan in place thus far. The former Magic founder first put forth this plan in 2019, hoping to bring MLB to Orlando. But Florida baseball teams are struggling to gain the love of the fans.?
Florida-based MLB teams are struggling to bring in crowds
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins are teams that are struggling to attract fans. Last season, the Rays and the Marlins were 28th and 29th in average home attendance. Even this year, the Rays are struggling despite a historic start to the season. This points to a trend in Florida, where both MLB teams are struggling to bring in fans and rank bottom 5 in attendance. Furthermore, it makes adding another expansion team in Orlando a big risk.?
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What do you think of the plan by Pat Williams to bring an MLB team to Orlando? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below.
