An ownership group focused on bringing MLB to Portland has "met privately with city officials" to discuss downtown ballpark plans, according to sources cited by John Canzano of the Portland OREGONIAN. A source said that Mayor Ted Wheeler is "in communication with representatives of the group," while a second source "indicated that the group is engaged in talks to secure two potential" ballpark sites. Last September, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that Portland "would be on a list of potential expansion cities." The potential ballpark would include funding from a $150M grant that was "approved by the state of Oregon" in '03 when the Expos were exploring relocation (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/17). In Portland, Gordon Friedman in a front-page piece notes the group, dubbed the Portland Diamond Project, was formed by former Nike exec Craig Cheek to "facilitate deal-making and to lobby local officials." Cheek's name appears on paperwork the company filed with the SEC showing it "sought to raise" $6M and had "already sold equity worth $500,000 to two unnamed investors." Portland Diamond Project spokesperson John McIsaac said that the group is "in the midst of land-related transactions, but declined to elaborate." He said that the company will make a public announcement tomorrow "about its plans" (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/17).
STRIKE WHILE THE IRON'S HOT? The OREGONIAN's Canzano writes every indication is that the group "isn't going to ask the city or state for additional public money." Aside from the $150M grant, the remainder "would be private money," so there "will be no vote" among city taxpayers. Portland has "changed a lot in the last 15 years," with a growth rate "among the top-10 in the country." Baseball has also "shifted from constructing mammoth multi-purpose stadiums to building cozy 36,000-seat urban hot spots." MLB "wants young, vibrant, growing, good-looking markets, and Portland happens to be all of those things." Canzano is "watching what's happening in Oakland with the A's with great curiosity." Canzano: "I just don't think it's going to work out ... and Portland feels poised to be the most attractive and well positioned landing spot" (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/17).
