Seven MiLB teams change ownership

Article posted by Coliseum, January 21^st, 2026

Image: MiLB

Seven Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams were sold recently as private equity and new technologies are heavily involved in the evolution of the sport.

‘Ballpark Digest’ stated that Avenue Sports, a private equity group investing in major sports franchises (including the National Football League’s [NFL’s] Buffalo Bills in 2024), has launched OnDeck Partners and announced the purchase of two MiLB teams: The Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A; Southern League) and the Visalia Rawhide (Low-A; California League).

The Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB) constituted of teams affiliated with the MLB teams. It was founded on September 5^th, 1901.

New York (US)-based the Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 30 teams divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) with 29 in the United States and one (1) in Canada.

‘Ballpark Digest’ further stated that Avenue Sports is led by Marc Lasry, a Co-Owner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Milwaukee Bucks from 2014 to 2023 increasing the value of the franchise and accomplishing the construction of the 17,385-capacity Fiserv Forum, home of the Bucks.

Enthused Lasry, “We are excited to launch OnDeck Partners with these two acquisitions which represent our respect for the tradition of Minor League Baseball and our commitment to its future. OnDeck is building something special and important: Not only supporting the success of the teams in which it invests but also contributing to the dynamism of the communities in which they are located.”

Maintained Mike Carney, head honcho, Avenue Sports, “As OnDeck Partners begins its journey we see incredible opportunities to create unforgettable fan experiences and to enhance in-stadium offerings resulting in stronger connections between the local communities and the game. The Biscuits and the Rawhide have both been long-time pillars of community spirit and entertainment. Our goal is to enhance these hometown team experiences ensuring our ballparks remain places where communities gather, celebrate and create lasting memories together.”

Tom Dickson and Sherrie Myers launched the Biscuits in 2004 playing in the newly opened 4,500-capacity Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium after relocating the Orlando Rays from Disney World. A group led by Lou DiBella purchased the Biscuits in 2017. DiBella retains his ownership interest in the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A; Eastern League). In Visalia, the team was sold by the Sigal family, owners of the Visalia Rawhide since 2019.

In Florida and Ohio, Prospector Baseball Group has acquired the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A; International League) and the Akron RubberDucks (Double-A; Eastern League) from the Fast Forward Group led by Ken Babby. Babby is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tampa Bay Rays after an October purchase of the MLB franchise to an ownership group led by Patrick Zalupski that also includes Bill Cosgrove and Babby as well as a sizable list of limited partners including Andy Sandler of Temerity Baseball, owner of several MiLB teams. Harold Craw will be joining Babby in Tampa Bay while Matt Goudreau and Noel Blaha remain with the Jumbo Shrimp with Goudreau as the President and General Manager and Blaha as the Senior Vice-President.

Said John Abbamondi and Ben Boyer, Co-Founders of PBG, “We are proud to welcome the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to the Prospector Baseball Group family. The Jumbo Shrimp are one of the most vibrant franchises in Minor League Baseball built on a commitment to ‘Affordable Family Fun’ that we are honored to continue.”

The purchase of the Jumbo Shrimp and the RubberDucks followed the October 30^th purchase by the Prospector Baseball Group of the Lancaster Stormers (independent; Atlantic League).

Finally, on December 9^th the Diamond Baseball Holdings announced the purchase of three MiLB licensees from the Houston Astros: The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Triple-A; Pacific Coast League), Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A; Texas League) and Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Low-A; Carolina League). The three clubs will remain affiliates of the Astros and continue to be guided by their existing local leadership including GM Tyler Stamm in Sugar Land, GM Brady Ballard in Corpus Christi and GM Michelle Skinner in Fayetteville.

Said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, Executive Chairman and CEO of DBH, “We’re excited to welcome these three outstanding Astros affiliates to the DBH family. The Space Cowboys, Hooks and Woodpeckers embody what makes Minor League Baseball so special as each has cultivated deep community roots and a strong player development culture. Our goal is to work closely with the Astros organization to enhance the foundation that they have built, bringing additional investment, resources and a relentless focus on the fans and the players.”

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