The Franklin County Commissioners are celebrating a new report from Forbes magazine listing the county-owned Columbus Clippers as the fourth most valuable minor league team in America.
“Franklin County’s investments in the Columbus Clippers continue to offer great returns for our community, especially when you consider the impacts of having the team in our county’s downtown center. The Clippers and our award-winning Huntington Park anchor the Arena District and serve as the economic engine for our entire region, all while providing family-friendly and affordable entertainment.”
Franklin County is the only county in the nation to own both a minor league baseball team and the team’s baseball stadium. In 1977, the Franklin County Commissioners - led by Harold Cooper - purchased the team from Pittsburgh Athletic Company (PAC) for $25,000 which was made possible through the generosity of John W. Galbreath, who owned PAC. Forbes now lists the franchise’s current value at $32 million.
The Forbes story can be found online at
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/07/17/minor-leaguebaseballs-most-valuable-teams.