The plan to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Orlando would mean significant change for residents, the Orlando Dreamers said Wednesday when they released updated economic impact figures.
According to the independent consulting firm JLL, the Dreamers' revised analysis projects more than 38,000 jobs during the stadium and site construction phase and over 52,000 permanent jobs once the team and related development are operating. The study estimates economic impact for Orange County of more than $72 billion across 30 years and an average of $32 million in additional annual Tourist Development Tax revenue.
What the numbers mean locally
Those figures, if realized, would expand the county's tax base and increase public revenues that local officials could allocate to transportation, workforce housing, public safety, parks and other community priorities, the Dreamers said. The group also highlighted planned community benefits tied to team and stadium revenue.
- Build and light youth baseball and softball fields throughout Orange County
- Direct revenue contributions to transportation projects
- Support for workforce housing initiatives
The Dreamers framed the projections as both an economic development opportunity and a civic investment. Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, serving as the Dreamers' Major League Baseball ambassador, emphasized readiness on the ownership side.
"Orange County has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to step up to the plate and attract an MLB franchise. The Dreamers are financially ready from our side, having in place in excess of $2 billion combined for team acquisition and stadium financing," said Larkin.
Jim Schnorf, who co-founded the Orlando Dreamers with the late Pat Williams, expressed similar optimism about the group's recent progress. The Dreamers said the JLL update follows an initial study completed in 2023.
Dreamers officials highlighted how the projected economic activity would support local businesses and provide additional resources for county priorities. They also called on local elected officials to signal to Major League Baseball that Orlando is prepared to host a franchise.
| Metric | Projected Amount |
|---|---|
| Construction-phase jobs | 38,000+ |
| Permanent jobs | 52,000+ |
| 30-year economic impact | $72 billion+ |
| Average annual TDT revenue | $32 million |
Officials did not provide a timetable for league approval or a specific site in Orange County as part of this announcement. The figures released are projections from the JLL update supplied to the Orlando Dreamers; they do not constitute a guarantee of outcomes. Local residents, elected leaders and county budget officials will evaluate the claims as discussions about potential stadium financing, land use and community benefits advance.
Bringing a major professional sports franchise often triggers debates over public subsidies, infrastructure costs and long-term development plans. The Dreamers' announcement adds data to that conversation and raises questions about how any increased revenues would be allocated across competing county priorities.
For now, the Dreamers say they have the private capital in place to pursue team acquisition and stadium financing and are urging local officials to demonstrate support to Major League Baseball.
