Diamond Baseball Holdings Announces Triple-A Omaha Purchase For 36th MiLB Club Acquisition

Image credit: Omaha Storm Chasers

Diamond Baseball Holdings has announced its purchase of the Omaha Storm Chasers, the long-time Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

In a press release announcing the purchase agreement, it was revealed that the front office staff, led by President Martie Cordaro, will remain in place and also that the team will continue to operate at Werner Park.

That has been the standard operating procedure for DBH-acquired teams, as the group has emphasized front office stability in these acquisitions.

Omaha has a 55-year franchise relationship with the Royals, the longest continuous affiliation relationship in Triple-A. The team had been owned by Alliance Sports, led by Gary Green and Larry Botel.

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“Larry and I are incredibly proud of the Storm Chasers’ impact on the Omaha community over the past 12 years,” Green said in the release. “As we shift our focus full time to Union Omaha and look to grow Omaha’s sports landscape, we are confident the Storm Chasers are in great hands with DBH. They have a strong reputation for honoring each club’s unique identity while making a positive impact on the local community.

“On behalf of the Royals, we’d like to extend our gratitude to Gary and Larry for their dedication to the Storm Chasers staff, players and fans,” said JJ Picollo, Executive VP of Baseball Operations & General Manager for the Kansas City Royals. “We’re excited to have a new partner in DBH, whose extensive experience will be invaluable in allowing the Storm Chasers to thrive in Sarpy County and Omaha for many years to come.”

When the acquisition is finalized, Omaha will become the 36th MiLB club added to the DBH portfolio, giving the group ownership of 24 of the 60 Double-A and Triple-A teams. Per regulations, DBH is limited to owning 14 teams at any level of the minors, meaning it will now be only two franchises away from teaching that level at Triple-A and Double-A.

Diamond Baseball Holdings Organizations

Triple-A (12): Albuquerque, Charlotte, Gwinnett, Iowa, Louisville, Memphis, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, St. Paul, Worcester

Double-A (12): Altoona, Arkansas, Binghamton, Birmingham, Columbus (formerly Mississippi), Harrisburg, Midland, New Hampshire, Portland, Springfield, Tulsa, Wichita

High-A (7): Hickory, Hudson Valley, Lansing, Rome, Salem, Vancouver, Winston-Salem

Low-A (5): Augusta, Fresno, Spartanburg (formerly Down East), Inland Empire, San Jose

Baseball America is owned by Alliance Sports, the group founded by Green and Botel which also owns the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels and Montgomery Biscuits and Union Omaha, a USL League One soccer team.