It’s been almost 25 years since the MLB last had an expansion team. Now more than ever, baseball fans across the world are fighting for a new expansion team. Cities such as Nashville, Las Vegas, Charlotte, New Orleans and many more locations find themselves in the cut for a potential baseball team. However, one city wasn’t pictured in the cut, well, that was until Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams came about.
Pat Williams is pitching a new MLB team and $1.7 billion stadium in Orlando. While there are already two teams in the state of Florida (the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins), Orlando is one of the world’s biggest tourist spots.
“We’re the City of Dreamers, so we’re the Orlando Dreamers until someone has a better name.”
While this pitch is far from being accepted, stadium renderings have already been created.
As if the idea of adding an expansion team to the city of Orlando wasn’t enough, the stadium renderings have caused for tons of discussion on social media, too.
At first glance, the ballpark design is totally unique, but it is a very unique concept that we have not seen in proffessional sports yet.
Both the stadium and retail sections appear to be covered by a clear roof which will prevent visitors from being rained on while allowing sunlight. The stadium appears to be located right on I-4, across from the Orlando Convention Center and Seaworld/Aquatica.
Talks about a potential “Orlando Dreamers” team also involves the Tampa Bay Rays. If Pat Williams can’t get an expansion team in Orlando, he hopes to lure the Rays, who have been rumored to move out of Tampa Bay.
Here is how Twitter is reacting:
any time I see an MLB expansion update featuring a team called the "Orlando Dreamers" I think of this image pic.twitter.com/CFSwgwD8tm
— Michael Taylor (@MichaelDanger19) May 9, 2023
I cannot express how lame I think Orlando Dreamers sounds.
Can we not get a Disney themed pro team name again?
— Brendan Rourke (@B_RourkeSports) May 10, 2023
The rays play 45 mins from Tampa, the bridge to get there is hell. Orlando has the third most tourists out of any city in the world. Summer ball would bring in even more. Magic are 15th in the NBA for attendance and they aren’t a top 15 team.
— Carson (@Carson_moyer1) May 10, 2023
I find the Orlando Dreamers stuff interesting. There wasn’t anything notable today about the Rays, but it seems like Orlando is ready to pounce if Tampa Bay takes an Oakland-type turn where it’s a dead end. We are *not* at that point yet over here, but clock is ticking towards…
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) May 9, 2023
I hate for ANY fanbase to lose their team, but if any move makes sense it would be the Rays moving to Orlando. Just 1.5 hours away, fan base can still go to games, and an Orlando based stadium would draw the vacationing consumer along with the traveling fan bases.… pic.twitter.com/vkWGOLUcQS
— LoudMarlinsFan (@LoudMarlinsFan) May 9, 2023