A.G. Gancarski
This upcoming season for the Jacksonville Suns marks the end of an era in Jacksonville, as the Bragan family is set to sell the Double A affiliate of the Miami Marlins at the end of the season to Ken Babby, who already owns the successful franchise, the Akron RubberDucks.
The Bragans bought the Suns in 1984 for $330,000 and will be selling for $20M, a roughly 6000% profit over the timeframe. The value of the Suns has appreciated over the years as the Bragans have consistently marketed to the community and made Suns games rites of passage for fans over the years, with special one-off promotions involving independent professional wrestling and special appearances by former Major Leaguers, as well as the “Thirsty Thursday” promotion, which is popular with the younger crowd.
The sale closes in September, so current team President Peter “Pedro” Bragan, Jr. hopes fans come out for at least one game during what is being billed as the “Pedro’s Last Dance” season: “I would like to invite all of our friends and acquaintances from all over North Florida and South Georgia to come see me and a ballgame, one last time.”
The Suns have been an important part of Jacksonville throughout the Bragans’ ownership, and that was helped along by former Mayor John Delaney and the Better Jacksonville Plan, which made the building of the $34M Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (the team’s home since 2003) a priority. The Baseball Grounds project was the first completed under the BJP, with a brick facade, a grass surface, and a retro feel comparable to that of many Major League parks completed around the turn of the century.
The Baseball Grounds replaced Wolfson Park, which had served minor league teams well since 1954.
One comment
salsagator
April 10, 2015 at 5:35 pm
City taxpayers invest $34 million in park. Return on investment $0.00. Bragan return on tax payer investment, $20 million. Amount of $20 million given back to taxpayers, $0.
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