The End of Spring Training in Central Florida

The departure of the Houston Astros from Osceola County in 2017 could mark the beginning of the end of spring training in central Florida. The Braves will leave Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in 2017 at the end of their 20-year lease and will almost certainly look to one of the three coastal communities that host 13 other big league teams to find a new home.

The opportunity to save spring training for the community may have come and gone when county commissioners voted down a measure to construct a $98M multi-club spring training facility in 2013. The facility would have housed the Washington Nationals and a second team and included an 8,600 seat stadium, two major league practice fields, eight minor league fields, and both a major and minor league club house. In addition, Nationals ownership had committed to purchasing land adjacent to the site to construct a suitable hotel to house players and staff during the spring.

County officials cited concerns about the risks of financing such a stadium without a commitment from a second team. However, their vote may have been short-sighted. The community will now lose an estimated $46M in annual revenues without a team. Plans are underway to find additional revenue streams by hosting other events throughout the year. Don Miers, Osceola County Sports and Events Director has been charged with “saving spring training for Osceola County” by the county commissioner’s office – something that could have been avoided altogether.