Redbirds undergo management transition

It was announced Thursday that the Pacific Coast League ballclub is now under the management of Global Spectrum, a Philadelphia-based Comcast-Spectacor subsidiary that specializes in sports venue management and consulting. The company was previously involved in Minor League Baseball through Comcast's ownership of the Bowie Baysox, Delmarva Shorebirds, and Frederick Keys.

Global Spectrum succeeds Blues City Baseball, which had run the team since its 1998 inception. The management change was at the behest of AutoZone Park bondholders. The Redbirds, who were issued $72 million in bonds in 1998, defaulted on their March 1 repayment of $1.625 million. This marked the first time in franchise history that the club had been unable to make such a payment, according to a report in the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

"We were approached by the lenders, who had seen what we were able to do in a similar situation five years ago with the Rose Garden in Portland," said Global Spectrum CEO John Page. "That facility had gone bankrupt, and we were able to put it back on the map. We had owned Minor League Baseball teams in the past, so it was natural to get back involved. We want to find ways to generate revenue while preserving the team as a community asset."

The Redbirds, who are under contract as a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate through 2012, will remain under the ownership of the Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation. The foundation is unique in that it is a charitable organization, putting the money generated by the Redbirds toward a variety of athletics-based philanthropic causes. An unfortunate result of the financial turmoil surrounding the club was the cancellation of the remainder of the RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities) youth baseball season in Memphis.

The main task for Global Spectrum now is to familiarize themselves with every aspect of the Redbirds operation. GM Dave Chase will remain in place through the end of the season to assist with the transition, and all staff members are being evaluated on an individual basis.

"We've only been at this a day and a half," said Page. "We'll take a look at the way things are, versus what we think they should look like, and make some decisions. We want to finish this season strong and move forward with a plan in place."

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Page is confident that Global Spectrum will be able to restore the Redbirds' financial health.

"This is a team with a great history, playing in a great market," he said. "Our business model is one that can succeed, we've just got to put it into play."