New Hurricanes' CEO is pushing hard for MLB team
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PNC Arena is set for massive upgrades. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Brian Fork, the new CEO of the Carolina Hurricanes, voiced a strong commitment to bringing an MLB team to Raleigh on Wednesday in his first public comments as head of the hockey team's parent organization.
Why it matters: Bringing a baseball team to Raleigh is an ambitious undertaking — one that could well take billions of dollars and beating out several rival cities to land one of two potential expansion spots.
- An MLB team would significantly transform the region's sporting landscape and national profile.
State of play: Canes owner Tom Dundon has expressed interest in helping bring a baseball team here. And a grassroots fan movement has already formed. Few competing cities can boast such a combination of potential funding and built-in fan interest.
What they're saying: "We will not be the only ownership group looking to get one of the new expansion teams ... but Tom is very serious about pursuing that opportunity and bringing it here to Raleigh," Fork said during a press conference with Doug Warf, the new president Hurricanes Holdings.
- "And we'll be taking a lead, helping him on the corporate side and the business side to help pursue that opportunity."
Between the lines: Fork is the former chief of staff for Republican N.C. Senate Leader Phil Berger, one of the most powerful people in the state.
- Fork acknowledged that Raleigh's bid is still in its earliest stages, but that the Canes will need the "full support" and partnership of the state and local governments to make it an attractive landing spot.
- A potential location for the stadium and funding for it, corporate partners and a potential rezoning of land are among the factors that still need to be figured out, he noted.
The intrigue: Fork added that Dundon would be interested in pursuing an opportunity to land a relocated team rather than a new franchise if the chance arises.
Zoom in: Already, the Canes are undergoing a significant public-private partnership at PNC Arena, leveraging money from Raleigh and Wake County to renovate the arena and redevelop its parking lots into apartments, restaurants, a music venue and offices.
What's next: The $300 million renovation of PNC Arena is likely to take place during the hockey offseason over the next three years, Fork said, and the addition of a sports book for live gambling is likely "a couple years away."
- The first phase of construction around the arena will likely not begin until after the N.C. State's 2025 football season.
- That would include a smaller music venue, retail and restaurants, "probably" a hotel and some amount of office and apartments, he added.
- The Canes will also look to partner with the Centennial Authority to add another entrance and exit onto Wade Avenue as well Edwards Mill Road to help with the flow of traffic, especially for future residents and office workers in the area.