Similar experience in a former job - they thought they were doing us a favor by giving them big money for sponsorships in return for tickets and some signage and got annoyed when I didn't want to play their game.tbone94 said:
They came to us (Aggieland Green) a handful of years ago about renovating the field and finally getting it healthy but didn't want to pay a dime. They wanted to trade for tickets and some less than equitable advertising for an expensive and challenging project. Hard pass!
COB to discuss ending lease agreement with Bombers
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Last: 3 mo ago by ElephantRider
The Bombers have been a passion project and not a gravy train (we wish…)
From the start we offered the city the option for us to pay rent and they build up this 80 year old facility to meet league standards OR we get the facility as-is and Bombers do all facility maintenance and improvements.
The city was losing money on the ballpark so they happily handed the keys to us and said "have fun."
Yes, I agree that we have not been perfect. Recovering from the Covid years has been challenging, and we have done the best we could with a facility this age and lean budgets. Yes, we can do better and we will - but that is not the cause of this lease termination. The city themselves have said it's for convenience. That just doesn't feel right.
Final note - yes we do a lot of trade with people for services in-lieu of tickets and sponsorship just like many businesses do. Sometimes that makes sense for all involved, and sometimes it doesn't. Always more of an art than a science, and I'm sorry it left a bad taste in anyones mouth.
From the start we offered the city the option for us to pay rent and they build up this 80 year old facility to meet league standards OR we get the facility as-is and Bombers do all facility maintenance and improvements.
The city was losing money on the ballpark so they happily handed the keys to us and said "have fun."
Yes, I agree that we have not been perfect. Recovering from the Covid years has been challenging, and we have done the best we could with a facility this age and lean budgets. Yes, we can do better and we will - but that is not the cause of this lease termination. The city themselves have said it's for convenience. That just doesn't feel right.
Final note - yes we do a lot of trade with people for services in-lieu of tickets and sponsorship just like many businesses do. Sometimes that makes sense for all involved, and sometimes it doesn't. Always more of an art than a science, and I'm sorry it left a bad taste in anyones mouth.
So is the city wanting to get rid of the ballpark altogether? Or just make the Bombers pay rent?
I think a ballpark that's a bad image for the city and for visiting teams is not okay. If the facilities and fields are in that bad of shape, then the current arrangement isn't working.
Sounds to me that it's exactly as it seems. The city originally agreed to the idea of free rent and covering a lot of the operational costs if the business owner did capital improvements. They haven't and it's fallen into a bad state. Time for the city to decide if the current option can be turned around and salvaged, if there's another better option, or if they need to get out of the baseball business all together.
Sounds to me that it's exactly as it seems. The city originally agreed to the idea of free rent and covering a lot of the operational costs if the business owner did capital improvements. They haven't and it's fallen into a bad state. Time for the city to decide if the current option can be turned around and salvaged, if there's another better option, or if they need to get out of the baseball business all together.
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Was the local Edible franchise sponsoring the park or was it main Edible corporate? Seems pricey on the local side?
Sorry but that facility is beyond repair. Has the potential to be a huge win for the COB as a reimagined ballpark of the future! Or maybe for the COCS instead!
AggiePhil said:
Sorry but that facility is beyond repair. Has the potential to be a huge win for the COB as a reimagined ballpark of the future! Or maybe for the COCS instead!
Needs a Dome!
The city isn't ending its lease with the Bombers, its ending its lease with Infinity Management, which is run by Uri. The article said the Bombers are still invited to play at the stadium and I would guess the city is going to run it or contract it out. Right now its contract out to Uri. Clearly, his current management has failed as the facility is in awful shape. The bathrooms are gross and the grandstands are falling apart. Has anyone seen the party decks? There are holes in it! It would make obvious sense for the city to move on from this arrangement and find a better option who will take better care of the stadium and provide a nicer facility for the Bombers.
The Heart of the Matter is there's lots of Dirty Laundry for the Boys of Summer.
Nicely done
A lot of Aggie history on that field.
The Aggie baseball team played there in the early to middle 1970's. They also played in the ncaa's in the late 50's.
The Aggie softball team played all home games there prior to 1994 and in the 80's went on to win two ncaa college World Series and won a aiaw World Series.
The Aggie baseball team played there in the early to middle 1970's. They also played in the ncaa's in the late 50's.
The Aggie softball team played all home games there prior to 1994 and in the 80's went on to win two ncaa college World Series and won a aiaw World Series.
I collect ticket stubs! looking for a 1944 orange bowl and 1981 independence bowl ticket stub as well as Aggie vs tu stubs - 1926 and below, 1935-1937, 1939-1944, 1946-1948, 1950-1951, 1953, 1956-1957, 1959, 1960, 1963-1966, 1969-1970, 1972-1974, 1980, 1984, 1990, 2004, 2008, 2010
I won tickets to a game for the Bryan Broadcasting listener appreciation night. The place is a dump. The "party deck" is awful. The kid zone awful. The concessions are awful. The facilities are terrible and I would not return, even with free tickets. Hopefully the CoB does something with this property.
What A&M should do is have the Bombers play at Bluebell and begin asap we get through with our season. It gets a lot of players that have never played there so it might just help with get some portal players the next year or two.
The Bombers would have to play the first four or five games away from home due to us making a Super.
The Bombers would have to play the first four or five games away from home due to us making a Super.
Why would the Bombers invest in a city-owned field when they risk being ousted, as is happening now? It's evident that the Bombers no longer "fit" into the city's vision for Midtown.
Since 2007, the Bombers have been the ONLY draw to this "redevelopment" area of Bryan, long before the city initiated its redevelopment plans. Now, with substantial spending on Midtown, it seems suspicious that the city wants to remove the Bombers.
Collegiate summer league teams are not profitable ventures. If Bryan, or another entity, does not intervene, we will lose the Bombers and any potential summer collegiate team. These teams are costly to operate and need robust municipal or stadium support to thrive.
Tomorrow, the city plans to give Schulman Co. over $2 million to sustain its "movie grill" concept at Midtown on the same day it plans to boot the Bombers out! Imagine if that investment had been directed towards Travis Field; we might have had a double-A team in the Brazos Valley by now. The Bombers, a family-friendly summer baseball league, have nearly a 20-year history with the City of Bryan.
To state it again, the city isn't kicking the Bombers out, it's kicked out Uri. Bombers will still play there with the city or someone else running it. Maybe they will finally won't play in a dump once Uri gets the boot
woodiewood said:
What A&M should do is have the Bombers play at Bluebell and begin asap we get through with our season. It gets a lot of players that have never played there so it might just help with get some portal players the next year or two.
The Bombers would have to play the first four or five games away from home due to us making a Super.
The Bombers haven't been paying rent at Travis Park, so the near $2k it takes per game to rent Olsen would be quite the jolt to the bottom line.
Gig 'Em
Hutch has enough to schedule around for camps without adding bombers games
It should be noted that Big Shots is not paying rent (year 6 ramp up from ground lease).
Schulman Movie Grill isn't paying rent either (year 3 ramp up from ground lease).
So a lot of big money incentives happening for those private businesses at Midtown, plus another $2 million tomorrow for Schulman.
Bryan has a city employee team operating Legends Center, now they want their hands on Travis Field.
Grow Government Grow.
Schulman Movie Grill isn't paying rent either (year 3 ramp up from ground lease).
So a lot of big money incentives happening for those private businesses at Midtown, plus another $2 million tomorrow for Schulman.
Bryan has a city employee team operating Legends Center, now they want their hands on Travis Field.
Grow Government Grow.
Anonymous Source said:woodiewood said:
What A&M should do is have the Bombers play at Bluebell and begin asap we get through with our season. It gets a lot of players that have never played there so it might just help with get some portal players the next year or two.
The Bombers would have to play the first four or five games away from home due to us making a Super.
The Bombers haven't been paying rent at Travis Park, so the near $2k it takes per game to rent Olsen would be quite the jolt to the bottom line.
Wouldn't have to pay for maintenance or upgrades though.
Whole thing wouldn't work since we won't have a field during the summer when we start the upgrade.
DonHenley said:
To state it again, the city isn't kicking the Bombers out, it's kicked out Uri. Bombers will still play there with the city or someone else running it. Maybe they will finally won't play in a dump once Uri gets the boot
Pretty sure Uri owns the Bombers.
DonHenley said:
To state it again, the city isn't kicking the Bombers out, it's kicked out Uri. Bombers will still play there with the city or someone else running it. Maybe they will finally won't play in a dump once Uri gets the boot
Uri owns the Bombers and the Toucans.
Yep, I used to watch the Aggies play there in 1972-1974 before they went back to Kyle Baseball Field for a few years before Olsen Field was built. Kyle Baseball Field was neat where a towering HR to Right would go into Kyle Field.whoop1995 said:
A lot of Aggie history on that field.
The Aggie baseball team played there in the early to middle 1970's. They also played in the ncaa's in the late 50's.
The Aggie softball team played all home games there prior to 1994 and in the 80's went on to win two ncaa college World Series and won a aiaw World Series.
Few Aggies know that there were two Kyle Fields.
Was it back by Mount Aggie?
Oh yeah! I've seen that photo, it's just been a long time.
After hearing both sides I think the City of Bryan has the more cogent points. They are seeking to maximize a public facility and the current occupant is apparently not a good tenant. The tenant's efforts to persuade the public have been disingenuous at best, combined with a threat of legal action against the city.
Team Bryan on this one.
Team Bryan on this one.
I would have to agree. Let the City restore and maintain the field and let the Bombers play for a fee just like everyone else. The place is in pretty bad shape so a change in how its managed is needed.techno-ag said:
After hearing both sides I think the City of Bryan has the more cogent points. They are seeking to maximize a public facility and the current occupant is apparently not a good tenant. The tenant's efforts to persuade the public have been disingenuous at best, combined with a threat of legal action against the city.
Team Bryan on this one.
Walk softly and carry a big stick! Make sure the big stick makes big boom noises and flashy bright lights.
Yep, this is the way. City can make improvements and everyone benefits. Whatever the fee is, it will be too small.
Uh...the city already owns Travis Field.officerfred said:
It should be noted that Big Shots is not paying rent (year 6 ramp up from ground lease).
Schulman Movie Grill isn't paying rent either (year 3 ramp up from ground lease).
So a lot of big money incentives happening for those private businesses at Midtown, plus another $2 million tomorrow for Schulman.
Bryan has a city employee team operating Legends Center, now they want their hands on Travis Field.
Grow Government Grow.
Gig 'Em
Stop it with your facts.
trouble said:
Stop it with your facts.
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Somewhat related...but I wonder what it would take to get an independent league or even a team in the AA Texas League to town. I say AA because A and A+ are pretty much locked in on the east and west coasts.
Obviously you'd need to significantly update Travis Field (or build a completely new stadium) but I think our area is big enough to support it.
For reference: Travis Field has a current listed capacity of 2000
Smallest stadium in the Texas League is Amarillo's Hodgetown (6,631) followed by Midland's Momentum Bank Ballpark (6,700).
Independent Leagues already with a presence in Texas:
American Association of Professional Baseball:
Pecos League:
Obviously you'd need to significantly update Travis Field (or build a completely new stadium) but I think our area is big enough to support it.
For reference: Travis Field has a current listed capacity of 2000
Smallest stadium in the Texas League is Amarillo's Hodgetown (6,631) followed by Midland's Momentum Bank Ballpark (6,700).
Independent Leagues already with a presence in Texas:
American Association of Professional Baseball:
- Cleburne Railroaders (pop. 31k, stadium 1,750) - maybe they need a travel partner?
Pecos League:
- Alpine Cowboys (pop. 6k, stadium 1,400)
- Austin Weirdos (stadium 500, social media laughingstock because of how bad they are)
- Pecos Bills (pop. 12k, "stadium" is a baseball/softball complex)
All it takes is money.Detective Jake Peralta said:
Somewhat related...but I wonder what it would take to get an independent league or even a team in the AA Texas League to town. I say AA because A and A+ are pretty much locked in on the east and west coasts.
Obviously you'd need to significantly update Travis Field (or build a completely new stadium) but I think our area is big enough to support it.
For reference: Travis Field has a current listed capacity of 2000
Smallest stadium in the Texas League is Amarillo's Hodgetown (6,631) followed by Midland's Momentum Bank Ballpark (6,700).
Independent Leagues already with a presence in Texas:
American Association of Professional Baseball:
- Cleburne Railroaders (pop. 31k, stadium 1,750) - maybe they need a travel partner?
Pecos League:
- Alpine Cowboys (pop. 6k, stadium 1,400)
- Austin Weirdos (stadium 500, social media laughingstock because of how bad they are)
- Pecos Bills (pop. 12k, "stadium" is a baseball/softball complex)
Amarillo's Hodgetown cost $45.5 million in 2019 - then another $4.5 million on MLB mandated upgrades in 2023.
https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/hodgetown-bracing-for-45-million-upgrade-enhancing-fan-experience-and-meeting-major-league-baseball-standards-tony-ensor-amarillo-sod-poodles-minor-league-baseball-city-of-amarillo-texas-hotel-occupancy-tax-kashion-smith-convention-and-visitors-bureau
My two cents:
- Even if Bryan decides not to continue the relationship, it is poor form to end a lease a year and a half early for "convenience." And yes, that is what Bryan is on the record saying they would be doing.
- Bryan pumps money into A TON of businesses via real cash and tax breaks. Especially in the last few years with midtown. I cannot imagine how much they've spent on downtown in the last decade. I believe the number would be staggering. So it seems odd that this is being pointed out as an anomaly. This is how Bryan operates when they want growth and re-development which is what this part of town and the ballpark needed 18 years ago. Nobody was paying rent to get access to a stadium that should be demolished.
I think CoBs position is that the expected economic benefits from the bombers didn't materialize.
Most/all of these deals to attract and develop businesses by tax breaks and such are interested in creating some level of return by HOT, sales tax, jobs creation, etc. The question is always about the value the city receives from these deals.
Most/all of these deals to attract and develop businesses by tax breaks and such are interested in creating some level of return by HOT, sales tax, jobs creation, etc. The question is always about the value the city receives from these deals.