With reports stating that Akron RubberDucks owner Ken Babby is part of an ownership group in exclusive negotiations to purchase the Tampa Bay Rays, it would be fair for fans of the home team to wonder what would happen should the bid be successful.
A lot of that depends on Babby, according to MLB ownership rules.
Ken Babby already owns two MiLB franchises
Babby already owns not only the RubberDucks, but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp through his Fast Forward Sports Group.
He purchased the then-Akron Aeros in 2012 for an undisclosed sum. A purchase of the Jacksonville Sun, which was eventually renamed to the Jumbo Shrimp followed in 2015.
According to MLB rules, individuals and ownership groups are restricted from owning more than one team in the league. However, like other sports leagues, allows for cross ownership of other league teams, with approval of the commissioner.
What about potential conflicts of interest for Babby and the RubberDucks?
The Rays play in the American League’s East Division. The RubberDucks are in the Eastern League, the Double-A affiliate for the Cleveland Guardians. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are in the International League, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. With each team in a different league at a different level of baseball, there’s no conflict of interest.
Why would Babby want to divest from ownership of the RubberDucks?
It would seem counterintuitive for Babby to sell the teams he holds through his Fast Forward Sports Group, whose president is RubberDucks president and general manager Jim Pfander. Babby is part of the group being led by Florida builder Patrick Zalupski buying the Rays, suggesting a role as more of an investor than principal.
Babby actively worked to change the game experience in Canal Park since purchasing the team, revamping promotions and investing more than $14 million in stadium improvements since his arrival. The RubberDucks are in the Top 10 in increased attendance in the 2025 season thus far in all of minor league baseball when attendance has been trending downward elsewhere this season.
What could the RubberDucks potentially sell for?
A sale price for the team is the big unknown, but were that to come to pass, Babby would certainly receive lucrative return on investment. For perspective: the Dayton Dragons, the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, sold in 2014 for $40 million, a record at the time according to Front Office Sports. It was recently acquired by Diamond Baseball Holdings, a company that owns more than 40 minor league teams. Financial terms were not disclosed.
However, Triple-A teams in Charlotte and Sacramento have veered into the $100 million purchase price range, according to a Front Office Sports report. Much of that depends on market size, competition level and facility ownership and, a huge factor, MLB affiliation.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Does Ken Babby’s interest in Tampa Bay Rays affect his ownership of Akron RubberDucks?
Reporting by George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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