The Tampa Bay Rays announced a new long-term partnership with Legends Global for the team’s planned Forever Home ballpark, which is set to open in 2029. Legends Global will serve as the owner’s representative and lead sponsorships, premium seating and suite sales for the new Major League Baseball venue.
The ballpark will be located on approximately 120 acres near Tampa’s Westshore District on Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus. The venue is expected to have an estimated capacity of 31,000, and the project includes diverse seating, celebration areas and year-round event spaces.
Legends Global to oversee construction and sales efforts
Legends Global’s owner’s representation team will represent the Rays from pre-design through closeout. Its responsibilities will include budgeting, construction schedules, quality and risk control, along with serving as a liaison to contractors and architects.
Legends Global’s sales and partnerships team will support naming rights, founding partners, premium seating and suite sales for the new ballpark. The group also will provide go-to-market analysis, product design and development, data and analytics strategy, and sales execution, while a dedicated team from Legends Global and the Rays will be based in Tampa.
Legends Global appointed Todd Fleming as senior vice president and project lead. Fleming worked on Legends Global’s sales team for nearly 14 years and most recently served as vice president and executive director of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches for the PGA Tour.
Fleming previously worked for the Dallas Cowboys, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, then known as Nets Sports & Entertainment, and the Miami Heat. His appointment gives Legends Global a designated leader for its work with the Rays on the ballpark project.
Rays describe regional vision for Forever Home
Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby said the project is intended to serve a broader purpose than baseball. “The Rays Forever Home is about much more than baseball,” said Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby. “It’s all about creating a world-class destination that our fans and the entire Tampa Bay region can live,work, learn, and play in for generations to come. It is a project that requires the expertise, leadership, and reputation for quality that only Legends Global can provide.Our future is more promising and brighter than ever with today’s announcement, and we look forward to all our partnership with Legends Global will deliver for everyone.”
Legends Global Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chad Estis said the partnership will address both the fan experience and the commercial development of the ballpark. “We are proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Rays on this transformational project to bring their Forever Home to life for their fans and the Tampa Bay region,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Legends Global Chad Estis. “We share a vision to deliver a world-class fan experience and impactful partnerships that will define this ballpark for generations to come. From supporting design and construction to building a best-in-class sales and partnership program, our team will help maximize the value of the new ballpark for the Rays, their partners, and the entire Tampa Bay community.”
FSB Take
The partnership assigns Legends Global responsibilities across both the physical delivery and commercial development of the Tampa Bay Rays’ planned Forever Home. Todd Fleming will lead the Legends Global project team as the ballpark moves from pre-design toward its planned 2029 opening. The agreement also establishes the company’s role in naming rights, founding partners, premium seating and suite sales for the projected 31,000-capacity venue.
Source: Original report