MACON, Ga. — The Macon Bacon say they are here to stay at least through 2037, with a new group of owners leading the way and a familiar face at the helm.
Macon Bacon Team President Brandon Raphael addressed a crowd at Historic Luther Williams Field. He made three announcements about the future of the baseball franchise that came to the city seven years ago as part of the Coastal Plain League.
Raphael said that over the last year, he had been working on building up an ownership group of folks with a connection to the Bacon. On Monday, they were able to close a deal to buy the team from Steve DeLay. Raphael will head up the ownership team and will remain in his role as the team’s president.
The new group of owners also secured 10 additional years on their lease from Macon-Bibb County to keep the team in Macon through 2037, adding to the three years they had left on their original 10-year agreement.
“We’ll continue to give you the same summer collegiate baseball that you know and love while always growing and finding new ways to entertain fans, such as bringing the All-Star Game to Macon for the first time ever,” Raphael said. “I could not be more excited for the team to continue to serve and entertain the Middle Georgia community and beyond.”
Macon Mayor Lester Miller delivered a message filled with Bacon and baseball puns as part of the press conference before Raphael made his final announcement that Luther Williams Field will also host the Coastal Plain League All-Star game in 2025.
The Bacon finished their seventh season in the summer league featuring college stars. They play in Macon’s 95-year-old Luther Williams Field, one of the nation’s oldest ballparks.