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Orange County explores Major League Baseball options amid tourism revenue surge

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 9:30 AM

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

Orange County explores Major League Baseball options amid tourism revenue surge

Summary

Orange County, Florida, anticipates Tourist Development Tax revenues to exceed $400 million this summer, driven by a record number of visitors. Mayor Jerry Demings is reviving the Tourist Development Tax Citizens Advisory Task Force to discuss how best to utilize these funds. The task force will prioritize projects related to tourism, sports, and arts. The renewed interest in MLB follows the efforts of the Orlando Dreamers, who are working to bring a team to the area, with financial backing reportedly exceeding $1 billion. Key political support has emerged, positioning Orlando as a potential contender for the Tampa Bay Rays if their stadium negotiations falter.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Orange County's Tourist Development Tax revenues exceed $400 million.
•Mayor Jerry Demings revives the advisory task force this summer.
•Orlando Dreamers secure over $1 billion in funding commitments.
•Political support for a Major League Baseball team is growing.
•Tampa Bay Rays face unresolved stadium negotiations.

Latest Updates

9:30 AMYahoo Sports — Mike Bianchi: With tourist tax jackpot back in play, Florida's Orange County needs to swing for the fences!

What they're saying

"
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County’s piggy bank is overflowing, and now comes the hard part: What do you do when tourists hand you $400 million a year? The county’s Tourist Development Tax revenue — the 6% surcharge paid primarily by visitors staying in hotels, Airbnbs and vacation rentals — is exploding. Collections are on pace to top $400 million for the first time ever, thanks to a tourism ...
— Yahoo Sports

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