Rays Purchase Minority Stake In UFL Tuskers To Expand Brand

Rays Hoping Florida Tuskers Will Help With Extending Baseball Team's Brand

The Rays in recent years "haven't been afraid to use creative methods to extend their team brand and fan base to different regions of Florida," and that objective was the "main factor in the Rays' latest partnership: acquiring a minority ownership interest" in the UFL Florida Tuskers, according to Joe Smith of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. Rays Senior VP/Development & Business Affairs Michael Kalt said that the UFL "approached the Rays about six months ago," and that the team sees owning a stake in the franchise as a "tremendous opportunity, citing the 'overwhelming demand' for more football across the country." Kalt added that the amount of the Rays' investment, "believed to be less than $2[M], 'will not have an impact on our baseball operations' or payroll." Kalt also was "quick to eliminate any concerns that this move could be linked to the Rays potentially moving to Orlando, or anywhere else, if a new stadium isn't built." Smith notes under the league structure, the UFL "owns at least 50[%] of all franchises but invites investors." Kalt said that the league "will have its hand in a lot of the marketing side of the Tuskers," but he noted that the Rays "could be more aggressive in looking at potential cross-promotion between the teams." MLB VP/PR Pat Courtney said that since the Tuskers are partially-owned by the Rays franchise rather than Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg individually, MLB will "likely monitor the situation to make sure there isn't any commingling of funds." The Tuskers will play two home games at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, as well as a game on October 30 at Tropicana Field (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 8/13).

NO PLOY TO RELOCATE: In St. Petersburg, Gary Shelton writes almost immediately after the announcement, there were "those who were concerned this was all just a ploy so Rays officials could buddy up to the Orlando politicians in order to get a new stadium over there. And maybe that would work, except that no one in Orlando seems to care about the Tuskers, either." Shelton adds, "Does this mean the Rays will want a new stadium that also accommodates football? Yes, but that isn't new." Rays President Matt Silverman indicated that the Rays' original plans for a new ballpark "included the possibility of conversion for football" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 8/13).

WHAT'S IN A NAME? The UFL earlier this week unveiled the Redwoods and Locomotives names for franchises in California and Las Vegas, respectively, and syndicated radio host Jim Rome said the California team's name is "not horrible," as redwood trees are "iconic and indigenous to California." Rome: "I get the name, but why not just go with the California Gridlock or the California Botox Injections or the California Smog." However, Rome said of the Locomotives, "You'd think that with a town as colorful as Vegas that the UFL marketing team would come up with something edgy, something with panache. You'd think that, but you'd be wrong. Get ready for your Las Vegas Locomotives." Rome: "I know when I think about Vegas I think about trains. ... Sorry, I'm not going to get fired up on the Sin City Locomotives" ("The Jim Rome Show," 8/12).