The Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators will be "under new ownership" pending the approval of the South Atlantic League, MiLB and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, according to the Kannapolis INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE. The buyers are led by Reese Smith III, a Nashville businessman "with decades of experience in rejuvenating minor league baseball franchises." Randy Long will remain Intimidators GM. Smith and his partners "have a history of rejuvenating minor league franchises." Smith is co-Owner of both the Double-A Southern League Jackson Generals and the Single-A Florida State League Daytona Tortugas. Other partners include Rays Chief Business Officer Jeff Cogen, Dallas-based Fairlane Sports and "a member of the David Freeman family that co-owns" the Predators. As part of the sale of the team, the Kannapolis City Council "has voted to transfer the current lease" of CMC-Northeast Stadium from Smith Family Baseball to Intimidators Baseball Club LLC. The city owns the ballpark and "are in the process of analyzing the possibility for a sports and entertainment venue in downtown Kannapolis." The 20-year old stadium "is in need of major renovations or replacement" (Kannapolis INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE, 3/16). In Charlotte, Ken Elkins noted the family of late NASCAR HOFer Dale Earnhardt, which was once involved with the Intimidators, "no longer has a financial interest in the team" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/15).
