The Maryland Stadium Authority is embracing a new era of entertainment at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, welcoming the Savannah Bananas, a baseball team known for its elaborate costumes and energetic performances, to the iconic Baltimore venue. In a strategic move, the authority is willing to forgo a larger share of the revenue in favor of a more flexible and mutually beneficial arrangement that aims to attract a diverse range of non-baseball events to the stadium.

Redefining the Game: Savannah Bananas Bring Unique Flair to Camden Yards

Embracing the Banana Ball World Tour

The Savannah Bananas, often referred to as the "Harlem Globetrotters of baseball," are scheduled to grace the field of Camden Yards on August 1 and 2 as part of their 2025 Banana Ball World Tour. This highly anticipated event promises to bring a fresh and captivating energy to the historic stadium, as the Bananas are known for their elaborate costumes, intricate dances, and unconventional gameplay that challenges the traditional norms of the sport.

Leveraging Non-MLB Events to Diversify Revenue Streams

The Maryland Stadium Authority's lease with the Baltimore Orioles includes a provision for hosting non-Major League Baseball events at Camden Yards. Typically, the organizer, in this case the Orioles, would take a 10% share of the revenue, with the remaining 50% split between the organizer and the stadium authority. However, the authority has opted to forgo this traditional arrangement in favor of a more flexible approach.

Maximizing Revenue through Admissions Tax

Instead of the standard revenue-sharing model, the Maryland Stadium Authority has agreed to receive an 80% share of the 10% admissions tax on each ticket sold for the Savannah Bananas' events. The remaining 20% of the admissions tax will be provided to the city of Baltimore. This strategic decision aims to incentivize the organizers to bring more non-baseball events to Camden Yards, as they will not have to split the net revenue with the stadium authority.

Offsetting Potential Losses with Broader Benefits

The stadium authority acknowledges that the decision to forgo a larger share of the revenue may result in some financial losses in the short term. However, they believe that the long-term benefits of hosting more diverse events at Camden Yards outweigh these potential losses. These benefits include increased tax revenues, economic activity, job creation, and media exposure, all of which contribute to the overall well-being of the state and the city of Baltimore. Additionally, the authority aims to provide more entertainment options for both Marylanders and tourists, further enhancing the appeal of the iconic stadium.

Expanding the Event Lineup at Camden Yards

The Maryland Stadium Authority's decision to adopt a similar revenue-sharing model for recent concerts by Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, as well as a Top Golf event, demonstrates a clear commitment to diversifying the event lineup at Camden Yards. This strategic approach is expected to create a greater opportunity for a wide range of non-baseball events, catering to the diverse interests of the local community and visitors alike.

Collaboration with the Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles organization has expressed its support for the stadium authority's efforts to attract more non-baseball events to Camden Yards. The team's new president of business operations, Catie Griggs, is expected to play a crucial role in identifying and securing additional opportunities that will bring fans to the heart of Baltimore. The Orioles and the stadium authority are committed to working together to explore innovative ways to generate revenue and provide unique experiences beyond the traditional baseball season.

Aligning with the Ravens' Approach

The Maryland Stadium Authority's strategy for the Savannah Bananas' events at Camden Yards differs from the approach taken with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Under the Ravens' new lease agreement, the team retains 100% of the revenue from non-football events, with no provision for the stadium authority to opt in. This reflects the Ravens' desire to have full control over their event lineup and revenue streams, while the Orioles and the stadium authority have chosen a more collaborative approach.

Fostering a Civic-Minded Partnership

Both the Orioles and the Ravens are recognized as civic-minded organizations, committed to bringing people to Baltimore and contributing to the city's overall well-being. The Maryland Stadium Authority's willingness to adapt its revenue-sharing model for non-baseball events at Camden Yards demonstrates a shared understanding of the broader benefits that these events can bring to the community, beyond just the financial implications.