Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Render provided by Nathan Nayman

Portland, Oregon needs a Major League Baseball team.  Although Portland has had many AAA and minor league baseball teams in the past, including the Rosebuds and the Hops, the City has not been home to Major League Baseball. 

Nathan Nayman is certain that now is the time for MLB in Oregon.  An MLB team will be an economic driver in Portland and will build civic pride, family memories, and emotional connections.  “Portland is a sports city,” said Mr. Nayman as he talked about the importance of sports teams in the Bridge City.  The Timbers, Thorns, and Trail Blazers are three professional teams that call Portland home.

The Portland Diamond Project hopes to raise $1 billion in private funds to secure the land and build a state-of-the-art baseball park with a retractable roof.  The PDP is working with city, state, and regional governments to assemble the funding. The PDP might also take advantage of a $150 million revenue bond that is available from the State of Oregon.  The bond would be repaid over time by a tax on baseball players’ incomes. 

Baseball park stakeholders are in the process of gathering the 50,000 signatures needed for the MLB Commissioner to consider placing a franchise in Portland.  There are two possibilities for teams: a relocation option that would take advantage of an existing team desiring to move out of its current city, or the establishment of a new team as part of the MLB’s expansion plan.

The impact of baseball parks on local economies cannot be underestimated, according to Mr. Nayman.  As examples, he cited San Diego’s PETCO Park, San Francisco’s AT&T Park, and Coors Field in Denver, all of which were built on vacant or abandoned industrial areas.   Coors Field in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) area of Denver has caused a wake of redevelopment including new breweries, retail, and housing that have revitalized the once ailing area of the city.  According to Nathan, crime in the LoDo area has dropped 17% and sales tax revenue is up 87% as a result of the ball field.

When asked which will come first, the ball field or the ball team, Mr. Nayman confirmed his belief that “if we build it, they will come.”  The Portland Diamond Project is currently negotiating with the Port Authority to secure land adjacent to the Willamette River.  The area surrounding the baseball park would include opportunities for housing, hotels, and restaurants.

For more information, visit https://portlanddiamondproject.com/

Nathan Nayman has an extensive career in negotiation, government, and regulatory affairs.  From his LinkedIn profile: “Nathan is a visionary leader with an outstanding record at Tideline Marine Group, Visa, the Committee on Jobs and the Hospital Council of Northern & Central California. Secured venture capital for start-up resulting in leadership position. Developed and vigorously advocated policy positions, winning support for legislative, regulatory, corporate, community and industry initiatives. Known for a keen ability at taking the pulse of communities, legislative bodies and industries. Contributing far beyond the bounds of a job description, achievements include business development successes that generated new opportunities and tens of millions in revenue.”

Nathan relocated from San Francisco to Portland two years ago.