New York Yankees talking about possibly moving Tampa Yankees team to Orlando

 The New York Yankees have released a statement responding to rumors about the sale of their Class A affiliate:

RE: REPORTS REGARDING THE SINGLE-A TAMPA YANKEES

“Reports today that the New York Yankees are considering moving the spring training facility from Tampa are completely erroneous.

“The Yankees are in very preliminary discussions regarding the possibility of a partial sale of their Single-A Tampa minor league affiliate to a potential group of Orange County, Fla., investors. The investors will make an announcement tomorrow.

“These exploratory conversations will have no impact on the Yankees’ spring training facility or the Major League team.”

                                             -nyy-

There will be a press conference held Thursday at noon to announce the New York Yankees will likely sign an agreement with an Orlando-based organization to talk about the possibility of moving the Yankees Florida State League franchise to Orlando. Yankees Vice President of Marketing, Howard Grosswirth stressed this is only an agreement to "look into" moving the FSL franchise and nothing more.

Grosswirth also stressed this agreement has nothing to do with the New York Yankees spring training site saying, "we have a long lease in Tampa and are not contemplating a move."(from Steinbrenner Field) 

The Mayor's office in Orlando has been in contact with Armando Gutierrez, an Orlando businessman who ran for U.S. Congress and recently pulled out of the race to focus solely on bringing professional baseball to Orlando.  Steve Triggs, Director of Communication for Orange County said, "We are happy to help in any way to bring professional baseball to Orange County."

Gutierrez added, "A venture agreement will be announced to purchase a franchise that will play in Orange County.  The goal is the 2013 or 2014 season."

BHSN has confirmed from the New York Yankees the press conference will be held by another organization not the New York Yankees.  That news conference is on Thursday at noon at the Orange County Administration Center. We will be at the press conference and bring you all of the details.

The New York Yankees would not confirm if a member of the Steinbrenner family would be present at the press conference.