Before the Jacksonville Suns play their first game under new owner Ken Babby, the team and city could have a deal that would keep the franchise at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville at least 25 more years.
The city and Babby have been in negotiations on a lease amendment at the Downtown facility. Babby submitted a proposal to the city at the start of the year as the basis for negotiations.
The two sides are operating under a 10-year deal from 2003 that has two five-year extensions. The new deal would extend it 25 years with one five-year club option.
Through his assistant, Babby declined an interview Thursday about the negotiations but said he will comment when appropriate.
Likewise, city spokeswoman Tia Ford said discussions were ongoing and information would be shared once an agreement was reached.
In all, the city has received more than $950,000 from Suns baseball games the past five years. SMG, which operates the city’s sports venues, has brought in almost $840,000.
Rent and tickets
The Suns would pay $100,000 per year for rent and $30,000 annually for a ticket surcharge. The rental fee could be adjusted after 15 years, based on Consumer Price Index changes. The ticket surcharge is fixed.
The current deal has the team paying $93,458 annually and a $2 ticket surcharge after attendance exceeded 187,500 through the gates.
Both amounts would be overall less from the past few years. Ticket surcharges ranged from under $64,000 to a high of almost $127,000 the past five years, according to the city.
Rent ranged from under $19,000 to almost $127,000 during that same period. The $19,000 represents an off year, though. It was adjusted for rent forgiveness along with conflicts with NFL preseason games.
Naming rights revenue
Naming rights and the revenue from them would stay with the team. The stadium currently has no sponsor and is simply called the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The team would set aside a portion of revenue generated from such a deal for its share of renovations, improvements and enhancements to the park.
It wouldn’t set a precedent.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have kept revenue generated from naming rights at EverBank Field after the city twice waived its share. In 2010, the city’s 25 percent of the $16.6 million deal would have been $4.15 million. In a $43 million deal in 2014, the city’s 25 percent share would have been $10.75 million.
One part that can’t be changed is Bragan Field, named in honor of the late Peter Bragan Sr., who formerly owned the team. That was established by a bill in 2012.
Concessions money
Under the current deal, the city gets a 30 percent cut of club-related concession sales.
Babby’s amendment has the club keeping all concessions, but the city keeping 30 percent during city-related events.
In the past five years, SMG has received more than $127,000. The majority — $109,000 — has come from the annual University of Florida versus Florida State baseball game.
Name change a possibility?
Several aspects remain in place. The city would continue to pay for utilities and maintenance expenses. The city would continue to be in charge of parking and receive all revenue.
The proposal also acknowledges, but doesn’t impact, the city’s deal with the Jacksonville Armada soccer team to play its home games on the field.
One part that was added: The baseball team’s name can be changed.
Babby completed the purchase of the club at the end of last baseball season from Peter Bragan Jr., whose family owned the team for 31 years.
Babby also owns the Akron Rubberducks, which is the AA team in Ohio affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. The Suns are the AA team for the Miami Marlins.
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