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Minor league baseball clubs are hoping for some COVID relief

steve carmody
/
Michigan Radio

Minor league baseball teams in Michigan could get some federal helpto recover from the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic closed ballparks in 2020, and they only recently fully reopenedto fans.

Even with fans back in the stands, many of those tickets were purchased as part of 2020 season ticket packages, money that clubs spent last year.

“Just because no games were happening doesn’t mean that there are no expenses,” says Tyler Kring, an Assistant General Manager for the Great Lakes Loonsin Midland, “And so those dollars got spent over that period of time.”

TheMinor League Baseball Relief Actwould offer clubs relief in the form of Small Business Administration grants totaling 45% of their 2019 revenue, with a cap of $10 million.

The money would come from previously approved federal COVID relief funds that have not yet been committed. 

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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