The Orlando Dreamers are making their pitch to bring an MLB team to Central Florida as the future of the Tampa Bay Rays remains uncertain. During a visit to Orange County Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis shared his thoughts on the team that needs a new stadium. The governor said MLB officials have reassured him they don’t want the Rays to leave the Sunshine State. “We are not allowing this team to leave Florida because I think they understand that this is the fastest growing state,” DeSantis said after a ceremonial bill signing in Apopka.The governor was a Little League star from Tampa Bay who went on to play baseball at Yale University.While the City of St. Petersburg plans to fund half the cost to repair Tropicana Field’s roof that Hurricane Milton ripped apart, the Tampa Bay Rays withdrew from a $1.3 billion deal in March for a new stadium in St. Pete.The Rays are playing their home games this season at the Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Spring Training home of the New York Yankees. DeSantis emphatically said the state will not use tax dollars to build a new ballpark. “Now, having said that, you know, there are things that that is appropriate for the state to do,” DeSantis said. “For example, if someone buys the team, and they want to build a nice new stadium, they can work with whatever local city and county if they want, but, you know, we help with, like, roads and exits and some stuff like that, but that’s, that’s the proper role of government.”The Orlando Dreamers have announced founder of Heartland Dental Dr. Rick Workman is the anchor investor interested in buying a baseball team and their website lists Attorney John Morgan as co-owner.The Dreamers want to build their domed stadium on Orange County-owned land near SeaWorld in the tourist district, but so far, Mayor Jerry Demings said he’s not ready to champion their efforts.”Well, it’s a good possibility. However, it’s one that has to be balanced with what other community benefit for the Dreamers to come to town,” Demings said. “The conversation can’t just be about making wealthy people wealthier.”Dreamers’ co-founder Jim Schnorf said they are preparing for Orlando to host a team either through expansion or relocation of another franchise. “You know, I’ve been being told for years that the Rays were likely to be sold soon and it hasn’t really happened,” DeSantis said. “You know, maybe we’re getting closer to that now, but, I’m confident that the team’s not going to leave Florida.”In Orange County, Mike Scott is the only commissioner to voice support for the Dreamers. He told WESH 2 he wanted to start the conversation about bringing an MLB team to Orlando. “And I’ve told people I’m not saying, you know, it should be in Saint Pete, Tampa, Orlando or any of that,” DeSantis said.

TAMPA, Fla. —

The Orlando Dreamers are making their pitch to bring an MLB team to Central Florida as the future of the Tampa Bay Rays remains uncertain.

During a visit to Orange County Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis shared his thoughts on the team that needs a new stadium.

The governor said MLB officials have reassured him they don’t want the Rays to leave the Sunshine State.

“We are not allowing this team to leave Florida because I think they understand that this is the fastest growing state,” DeSantis said after a ceremonial bill signing in Apopka.

The governor was a Little League star from Tampa Bay who went on to play baseball at Yale University.

While the City of St. Petersburg plans to fund half the cost to repair Tropicana Field’s roof that Hurricane Milton ripped apart, the Tampa Bay Rays withdrew from a $1.3 billion deal in March for a new stadium in St. Pete.

The Rays are playing their home games this season at the Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Spring Training home of the New York Yankees.

DeSantis emphatically said the state will not use tax dollars to build a new ballpark.

“Now, having said that, you know, there are things that that is appropriate for the state to do,” DeSantis said. “For example, if someone buys the team, and they want to build a nice new stadium, they can work with whatever local city and county if they want, but, you know, we help with, like, roads and exits and some stuff like that, but that’s, that’s the proper role of government.”

The Orlando Dreamers have announced founder of Heartland Dental Dr. Rick Workman is the anchor investor interested in buying a baseball team and their website lists Attorney John Morgan as co-owner.

The Dreamers want to build their domed stadium on Orange County-owned land near SeaWorld in the tourist district, but so far, Mayor Jerry Demings said he’s not ready to champion their efforts.

“Well, it’s a good possibility. However, it’s one that has to be balanced with what other community benefit for the Dreamers to come to town,” Demings said. “The conversation can’t just be about making wealthy people wealthier.”

Dreamers’ co-founder Jim Schnorf said they are preparing for Orlando to host a team either through expansion or relocation of another franchise.

“You know, I’ve been being told for years that the Rays were likely to be sold soon and it hasn’t really happened,” DeSantis said. “You know, maybe we’re getting closer to that now, but, I’m confident that the team’s not going to leave Florida.”

In Orange County, Mike Scott is the only commissioner to voice support for the Dreamers. He told WESH 2 he wanted to start the conversation about bringing an MLB team to Orlando.

“And I’ve told people I’m not saying, you know, it should be in Saint Pete, Tampa, Orlando or any of that,” DeSantis said.