Nationals leaving Viera for West Palm Beach

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday made official what has long been expected: The Washington Nationals will be moving their spring training operations from Viera to West Palm Beach.

His announcement did not specify when the move might take place. But Brevard County officials believe the Nationals will continue to hold spring training at Space Coast Stadium in Viera at least for the current year and next year.

Scott said the Nationals and the Houston Astros agreed to keep their spring training operations in Florida for the next 30 years, thanks in part to $50 million in state incentives to help pay for a new stadium in West Palm Beach. The Astros currently hold spring training in Kissimmee.

Scott did not directly mention West Palm Beach in his statement, but others did, including the owner of the Houston Astros, Jim Crane.

"This would not be possible without the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, state leaders and the governor working together," Crane said. "We're very excited to remain in Florida for spring training, and we're looking forward to partnering with the Nationals, as well as the Cardinals, Marlins and Mets, to provide fans with the best spring training venue in the country."

The St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins and New York Mets all hold spring training near West Palm Beach, giving the Nationals and Astros a group of teams to play without having a long commute. Viera's isolation from most other spring training venues was an issue the Nationals raised as part of their desire to leave Brevard County,

Brevard County Commission Chairman Robin Fisher said the governor's announcement was not unexpected, as the Nationals have been indicated for some time that they want to move spring training out of Space Coast Stadium in Viera. The team also explored sites in the Fort Myers and Kissimmee areas.

But Fisher said he wants to be sure the Nationals do not give Brevard County a hard time in giving the county control of the training facilities and fields adjacent to Space Coast Stadium. Those facilities currently are jointly owned by the Nationals and The Viera Co. Space Coast Stadium itself is owned by Brevard County.

Fisher told fellow county commissioners last month that the United States Specialty Sports Association is considering moving its national headquarters from Kissimmee to Viera. The training complex adjacent to Space Coast Stadium is a key to the potential deal.

The USSSA bills itself as the world's largest multi-sport athletic organization, with 3.9 million members. It governs 13 amateur sports, including slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball, baseball and basketball, in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

According to Fisher, having USSSA here would generate 75,000 hotel room-nights during its first year of operation in Brevard, growing to 100,000 rooms by year three.

"We're getting ready to send the Nationals a letter, asking them to work with us on a smooth exit strategy," Fisher said.

Fisher said he also plans to contact Scott's office to discuss the issue, in light of the state providing financial incentives for the planned stadium in West Palm Beach.

He said it would be "a shame" for the Nationals to get a new spring training stadium in West Palm Beach with the help of state money if it did not cooperate with Brevard County on giving the county control of the Viera training facilities.

The Brevard County Commission designated Fisher as the point person in dealing with the Nationals and the stadium.

Fisher said it makes the most sense now not to pursue a deal with another major league team, but rather focus on converting the stadium complex for use by amateur sports.

"Over the long term, we're better off with youth sports," Fisher said, citing the potential tourism impact of sports tournaments on hotels and other local businesses. "It's more heads in beds."

Brevard County Manager Stockton Whitten said the governor's announcement is no surprise.

"I know they were working on finalizing the deal" with Palm Beach County, Whitten said. "I don't think any of us should be surprised."

Whitten said, while the county doesn't know how long it will take Palm Beach County to build a two-team stadium, it likely would take 18 to 24 months to complete, meaning the Nationals would continue to play at Space Coast Stadium through spring 2016, and possibly in 2017.

"I would hope that the Nationals would work with the county and The Viera Co. to make sure that the exit is smooth," Whitten said. "Hopefully, they will work with us."

Deputy Palm Beach County Administrator Verdenia Baker said she feels confident in Palm Beach County finalizing the deal with the Nationals and the Astros for the proposed $135 million stadium, although some details still have to be worked out. That includes an easement change that must go before the Florida Legislature.

"We've got the funding already in place," Baker said.

Including the cost of financing, the deal is structured this way:

•$2 million a year for 25 years in state incentives. A community building a new stadium that would house two major league teams for spring training could qualify for up to $50 million in incentives, spread out over 25 years.

•An average of $3.6 million a year for 30 years from the county's tax on hotel rooms.

•An average of $2.7 million a year for 27 years from the teams.

Baker said she hopes construction started by this fall and be completed in time for the teams to play there in the spring of 2017.

In his statement, Scott touted the fact that Florida will not lose the teams to Arizona, where 15 of the 30 major league teams hold spring training.

"Florida is proud to be the home of 15 spring training teams, and we are excited to announce that the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros have chosen to stay in Florida for the next 30 years," Scott said. "Spring training has helped to bring Florida families together, create jobs in our communities, and drive tourists to our state. Florida is undoubtedly the best state for baseball, and we look forward to many more years of spring training attracting visitors and creating opportunities for Florida families."

In a statement, Mark Lerner, vice chairman and principal owner of the Washington Nationals, said, "We, at the Washington Nationals, appreciate Governor Scott's commitment to keeping all 15 major league baseball spring training venues in the Sunshine State, ensuring that Florida remains the premier spring training destination."

The Nationals' lease at Space Coast Stadium runs through 2017, and the Nationals would have to let the county know in 2016 whether they want to extend their lease beyond then.

In a statement released by Scott's office, Daniel Martell, president and chief executive of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, said: "If not for the vision and the hard work of Governor Rick Scott, major league teams may be leaving the Sunshine State for Arizona. We are very proud that we have a governor that has shown the leadership and boldness to keep all 15 teams in Florida, which will increase tourism and inject more jobs into our economy."

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 and dberman@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByDaveBerman and on Facebook at facebook.com/dave.berman.54