DBH owns about one-third of the 120 full-season minor league teams across the U.S. and Canada. The terms and price of the Dragons sale were not disclosed.
The Dragons existing front office staff, led by President Robert Murphy, will continue to operate the club.
Murphy said the sale will not change the fan experience, which he says is beloved, as evidenced by the Dayton Dragons selling out every one of their 1,573 home games in their 24-season existence.
But Murphy said DBH brings resources and experience that can help grow business opportunities, possibly by attracting more special events. He said the stadium has been hosting roughly 100 events or more annually, which includes the 66 Dragons home games per year.
Palisades Arcadia Baseball owned the Dayton Dragons for the past 10 years. The Dragons are known for having the longest sellout streak in North American pro sports history.
The Dragons open their 2025 season on the road April 4, before returning for their home opener April 8.
Dragons home games had an average attendance of 8,012 in 2024, which was the third-highest in minor league baseball, despite Dayton playing at a lower level than Class AA or AAA teams.
The club’s overall home attendance was 528,778 fans, which ranked fourth in minor league baseball, even though the Dragons play fewer home games (66) than Double-A (69) or Triple-A teams (75).
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
Murphy said the Dragons are one of the premier minor league teams in the nation, and DBH is going to want to stick to its winning formula.
However, he said he thinks there are some opportunities for growth.
“I think we are a great organization — so how do you get better than great?” he asked. “I think we can elevate our performance when we start getting more resources.”
He said DBH, which owns so many other teams in a variety of markets, might be able to assist with best practices and expertise. They may be able to provide resources for projects that are on the Dragons’ wish list, like reseeding the stadium.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
“They have a long track record for preserving the unique character of each club while fostering positive change in local communities,” said Murphy, who has been the Dayton Dragons president since the team’s founding. “DBH understands how much this team means to Dayton, and we look forward to working with them to elevate the experience at Day Air Ballpark even further.”
DBH was founded in 2021, one year after the COVID pandemic canceled the entire 2020 minor league baseball season and led to a consolidation of teams and leagues. DBH says it tries to turn all of its baseball parks into entertainment venues that serve fans and customers on a year-round basis. DBH’s stadiums and facilities welcome activities like high school and college baseball games, other kinds of unique exhibition games, festivals, concerts and more.
Last year, DBH announced that it was launching a nationwide concert series called “Music on the Diamond” to bring headliner acts to some of its baseball stadiums.
In a prepared statement, Pat Battle and Peter Freund, executive chairman and CEO of DBH, said the Dragons are one of the “crown jewels” of minor league baseball.
“Their 24-season sellout streak is perhaps the single most impressive statistic in North American sports,” the leaders said.
Freund said once DBH closes on the deal it will assess opportunities to provide additional resources and support to try to improve the experience at the stadium.
“One example is exploring opportunities to activate Day Air Ballpark outside of baseball and attract even more fans through other forms of fun and affordable entertainment and events,” he said.
Credit: MARC PENDLETON
Credit: MARC PENDLETON
Officials said the sale of the team depends on approvals by the city of Dayton and the league. Murphy said the sale could go through in several weeks if everything goes according to plan.
Four years ago, the city of Dayton approved an agreement with Palisades Arcadia Baseball that allows the company to extend the stadium and plaza lease through 2060.
Day Air Ballpark was completed in 2000. The city has provided about $19 million to help fund the construction of the stadium and pay for some improvements and upgrades.
Dayton Deputy City Manager Joe Parlette said the city will have to execute a lease assignment with DBH prior to the completion of the sale, which the city has done twice before in the past. He said the city became aware of the potential sale this week.
“The Dragons are extremely important to downtown,” Parlette said. “This is definitely a good thing. Diamond Baseball Holdings has an impressive portfolio of professional teams, a direct relationship with Major League Baseball, and an impressive leadership team.”
Credit: Submitted Photo
Credit: Submitted Photo
The Dragons are known for their in-game entertainment — including mascots Heater and Gem, on-field performers The Green Team, fan interactions and more — but they’ve yet to win a championship on the diamond in Dayton.
Last season, the Dragons advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2017 and the eighth time since relocating to Dayton in 2000. They were swept by the Lake County Captains, the eventual High-A Midwest League champions, in last year’s semifinal round. The team has never played in the Midwest League Championship series.
The Dragons have been affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds since the franchise moved to Dayton and has served as a pipeline to the major leagues. More than 145 Dragon alums have moved on to play at the highest level of professional baseball, including former National League Most Valuable Player Joey Votto and MLB All-Stars Jay Bruce, Adam Dunn and Johnny Cueto.
Later this month, the Reds will play a team of the organization’s minor-league prospects – which is likely to include several Dragons players from last year’s squad – in a game celebrating the Dragons’ 25th season in Dayton. The game is set for 6:10 p.m. March 25 at Day Air Ballpark.
Many former Dragons will be on the field for the Reds, led by shortstop Elly De La Cruz, second baseman Matt McLain, catcher Tyler Stephenson and outfielder TJ Friedl.
About the Author
