Menu
Franchises

Astros Still Exploring Possibility Of Triple-A Affiliate In Houston Area

While the Astros "sort out their plans for a new spring training site in Florida, there remains a parallel hope to build a new park in the Houston area for their Class AAA team," according to Evan Drellich of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Astros Owner Jim Crane said that he "expects to again talk to the development company that purchased Camp Strake, a site near Conroe, once the new year arrives." The Astros are currently affiliated with the PCL Oklahoma City RedHawks through '14, but minor-league ownership and franchise agreements "are separate deals," as Mandalay Sports Entertainment owns the RedHawks. For the Astros to move a team to the Houston area, the club "must first buy a franchise." The Triple-A PCL New Orleans Zephyrs "have been reported as [a] possible target for the Astros to acquire." Having a Triple-A team in "close proximity makes the logistics of player movement easier, and it too can help acclimate players to the major-league environment they may eventually play in." If a deal "were to be struck when Johnson Development takes control of the property, Crane estimated that it would take 18 months to two years to make the move happen" (CHRON.com, 11/18). Meanwhile, MLB today announced that the Astros will play host to the '14 Civil Rights Game, scheduled for May 30 against the Orioles at Minute Maid Park (MLB).

RYAN EXPRESS ON TRACK? Drellich reported the Astros have not extended a "front-office or advisory job offer" to former Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan, "at least not yet." Crane said, "I have talked to Nolan. We haven't really discussed anything about him joining the team yet. But that certainly could be a possibility down the road. It depends what Nolan wants. ... I think he’s still cleaning up some of the stuff he has in relationship to the (Rangers)" (CHRON.com, 11/15). MLB.com's Tracy Ringolsby noted there has "been speculation that Ryan could rejoin" the Astros with son Reid now President of Business Operations. It is an idea that has "been encouraged" by Crane. But Ryan "has declined, at least so far." He said, "Obviously, with Reid, I've enjoyed working with him over the years. ... With what I have accomplished, working with someone who does not embrace me and my opinion is not the place for me" (MLB.com, 11/18).

MEDIA AND MISERY? Drellich also reported, "In perhaps a worst-case scenario where some deal to restructure Comcast SportsNet Houston is not reached, the Astros are prepared to investigate whether an alternate means of broadcasting games is viable." Crane said that landing a "workable TV deal could lead to a higher payroll" (CHRON.com, 11/15)....Drellich wrote "nothing could have prepared" Astros GM Jeff Luhnow for the "feeling he's dealt with the last two years." Assembling an MLB team that has "yet to crack 60 wins under his watch is trying and painful, no matter if the bloodletting has been by design." Luhnow said, "Ultimately, it will be worth it, but it doesn't feel like it when you're going through it" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/17).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/11/19/Franchises/Astros.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/11/19/Franchises/Astros.aspx

CLOSE