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licenses of major league baseball names, logos, and emblems
(apparently because the partnership in 1996 began selling
merchandise reflecting the Devil Rays’ logo).
From March 1995 until November 6, 1997, the partnership
worked diligently to satisfy the above requirements and
conditions, working with third parties whose cooperation and
approval was necessary. The partnership obtained the financing,
and on the scheduled installment dates the partnership paid major
league baseball the $130 million franchise fee.
Beginning in 1995 and continuing through 1996, 1997, and
1998, through various affiliation agreements with, among others,
Suncoast Baseball, Inc., Orlando Rays, Inc. (a subsidiary of
petitioner), and The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Inc., the
partnership established minor league baseball teams based in
Florida, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
By fall 1997, the partnership had satisfied all of the
conditions of the March 1995 resolution and agreement with major
league baseball. Accordingly, on November 6, 1997, final
agreements were entered into between the partnership and major
league baseball. Thereunder, a major league baseball membership
certificate was transferred to the partnership entitling the
partnership to field a major league baseball team and to play in
the American League at the beginning of the 1998 season.
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Last modified: May 25, 2011