Orlando Dreamers Add Key Figures to Advisory Boards

The Orlando Dreamers, the city’s bid to bring Major League Baseball to Central Florida, have announced several key additions to their advisory boards, bolstering their efforts to secure the expansion of the sport to the region.

Former MLB pitcher Nick Goody and renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daryl Osbahr have joined the Sports Advisory Board, bringing with them extensive experience and expertise. Goody, who pitched for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers, was known for his prowess as a "strikeout king," once recording 19 strikeouts in a college game. Dr. Osbahr, a leading orthopedic surgeon and chairman of Orthopedic Surgery for Rothman Orthopaedics Florida at AdventHealth, serves as the Co-Chief Medical Officer for USA Baseball and Medical Director for the Junior Tennis Champions Center, among other roles.

The Local Business Leader Board has also seen significant additions, with Jay Jackson, Modesto Alcala, and Jose Fernandez joining the ranks. Jackson is the Chairman and CEO of Abacus Global Management, a rapidly growing data-driven asset management company based in Orlando. Alcala, the Founder and CEO of Fork in the Road Hospitality, brings 30 years of leadership experience to the board, having transformed the global food, beverage, and retail portfolio of Universal Destinations & Experiences. Fernandez, the President and CEO of Florida Compass Group, has extensive experience in public financing and played a crucial role in bringing Major League Baseball to Orlando.

"These additions to our advisory boards are a testament to the broad support and expertise we have in Orlando," said Barry Larkin, the Orlando Dreamers' MLB Ambassador. "They share our vision for bringing Major League Baseball to the city and will be invaluable in helping us achieve our goals."

Orlando Dreamers Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Jim Schnorf echoed Larkin's sentiment, emphasizing the importance of these appointments. "Having these distinguished leaders join our team is a significant step forward as we continue to inform Major League Baseball of our ongoing progress. Orlando presents a compelling case for expansion, and their involvement underscores the local support for our initiative."

The Dreamers have secured substantial financial backing, with over $2 billion allocated for stadium construction and team acquisition. They plan to make the largest private investment in a publicly-owned stadium in MLB history, while also dedicating hundreds of millions of dollars to community priorities such as transportation improvements, workforce housing, and public safety. Additionally, the Dreamers aim to build youth baseball and softball fields throughout Orange County and construct the first LEED Platinum certified professional sports stadium in Florida.

In support of the Dreamers, a letter of endorsement was received from the Orlando Economic Partnership, and the organization has garnered backing from the African American Chamber, the Asian America Chamber, and Visit Orlando. City, county, and state leaders have also expressed their support, including Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, State Representative Anna Eskamani, and Orange County mayoral candidate Chris Messina.

The Dreamers have also presented updated economic impact data from JLL, the major independent consulting firm, which revealed that the project could create over 38,000 jobs during the construction phase and more than 52,000 permanent jobs over 30 years. The economic impact on Orange County is estimated at over $72 billion, with an average of an additional $31.7 million in annual TDT revenue.

With these developments, the Orlando Dreamers continue to build momentum in their quest to bring Major League Baseball to Central Florida, positioning the city as a potential new home for the sport.