The Akron RubberDucks, the AA minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, have been sold.
The new owners are Prospector Baseball Group. Co-founders John Abbamondi and Ben Boyer also purchased the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, an affiliate of the Miami Marlins and the other minor league baseball team owned by previous RubberDucks owner, Ken Babby, and his Fast Forward Sports Group. Babby is now the CEO of the Tampa Bay Rays, a role he assumed in October.
Prospector Baseball Group in October purchased the Lancaster Stormers, a Pennsylvania team that’s in the Atlantic League Pro Baseball, a partner of Major League Baseball.
In a statement announcing the sale, Abbamondi and Boyer said they were thrilled to take on the team. The terms of the deal were not made public.
“The RubberDucks are renowned for being one of the best franchises in Minor League Baseball, deeply rooted in the history and unique spirit of the Akron community,” they said. “The important role the RubberDucks play in the lives of Akron residents and visitors alike reinforces our belief in the overall strength of the Northeast Ohio region, and for that — and many other reasons — we are eager to get started.”
Babby, in a statement, said he was very careful in selecting new owners for the team and had “no doubt” that they would bring passion, integrity and commitment to their ownership.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement that Babby’s work positioned the team as a hotspot in the city. He said he was excited about the future of the RubberDucks under its new leadership.
“I trust they will lead this well-loved franchise into its next chapter,” Malik said. “I look forward to working closely with John Abbamondi and Ben Boyer as they aim to elevate the fan experience and continue providing fantastic games and memories for Akron residents and guests for years to come.”
Building on the success of ‘Affordable Family Fun’
Abbamondi and Boyer said in their statement that they plan to build on the success of Babby’s “Affordable Family Fun” promise for the team and continue to elevate the experience at 7 17 Credit Union Park.
“We truly believe that a ballpark is the heartbeat of any community — a gathering place where families, friends, and fans of all ages come together to enjoy life to the fullest,” Abbamondi said.
The company’s LinkedIn page says Prospector Baseball Group “is creating the most advanced and community-connected Minor League Baseball platform in the country” by unifying local clubs under an efficient, modern system that elevates elements of the game without compromising it. The group aims to improve team performance using cutting-edge technology and enhance the fan experience to drive value, its page says.
In the statement, Chris Antonetti, the president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians, said he has known Abbamondi for more than 20 years and is confident that he and the team will be “excellent partners.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Abbamondi is a former senior director for labor economics for Major League Baseball and was an assistant general manager for the St. Louis Cardinals and a vice president of strategy and business analysis for the San Diego Padres. He also was a senior vice president in marketing and business operations for the National Basketball Association and the former CEO of the Brooklyn Nets.
Boyer’s LinkedIn page shows that Prospector Baseball Group was formed in June. It’s based in New York.
John Demmler, the CEO of 7 17 Credit Union, said in a statement that his organization’s commitment remains with Akron.
The new owners’ local-first philosophy and dedication to the team’s mission align with 7 17’s values, he said.
“We’re excited for this next chapter and for the positive impact it will bring to Akron and the fans who call 7 17 Credit Union Park home,” Demmler said.
Editor’s note: The Akron RubberDucks are a financial supporter of Signal Akron.