Orioles attendance this year was down 11% heading into the season's final two monthsGETTY IMAGES
The Orioles "aren’t being sold and will not be moving to Nashville," according to Peter Schmuck of the BALTIMORE SUN. The "latest round of sale and relocation rumors have not been debunked publicly." However, an Orioles official labeled the notions as "nonsense," calling the recent media reports about a possible sale "rank speculation." The official added that whispers about the team moving to Nashville "are ridiculous." The latest speculation about a possible franchise move has been "swirling for at least a year, beginning as soon as it became apparent" Exec VP John Angelos and Ownership Rep Lou Angelos had "taken over operation of the team from their ailing father," longtime Owner Peter Angelos. But those who have long known the Angelos family "doubt they would cost Baltimore the Orioles." They "would not want to be forever linked" to late Colts Owner Robert Irsay, who has been "reviled in this city since he moved the Colts under the cover of night" in '84. John Angelos has said on multiple occasions that his family is "committed to Baltimore." If the Angelos family "did want to enter into negotiations to sell the team, MLB rules require official notification is made to the commissioner’s office before proceeding" (BALTIMORE SUN, 8/15).
