New Owners, Local Focus: OnDeck Partners Takes Over Montgomery and Visalia with a ‘Community-First’ Pitch

Two Minor League clubs change hands — with community promises at the center

OnDeck Partners announced it has acquired the Montgomery Biscuits and the Visalia Rawhide, bringing both teams under a single new owner that bills itself as community-first. The move puts the Montgomery franchise and the Central Valley club into the hands of a group connected to Avenue Sports Fund and veteran investor Marc Lasry.

The announcement positions the purchases as more than a sports deal. OnDeck Partners emphasized upgrades to ballparks, new community programs and a plan to keep each club rooted in its city. For fans in Montgomery and Visalia that message will matter more than spreadsheets: owners who promise to invest in the fan experience, local jobs and youth programs can change what a team feels like to a town.

Who is behind OnDeck Partners and what do they say they want?

OnDeck Partners is the operating name for a group tied to Avenue Sports Fund, the sports investment vehicle associated with Marc Lasry. Lasry is a known figure in finance and sports investing; the announcement makes clear this team is the Avenue Sports Fund group focused on buying and running minor league franchises.

Their stated mission is simple: treat these teams as community assets, not just financial holdings. That means keeping local staff involved, investing in stadiums and running outreach programs. The group says it will lean on local partners and leaders to guide decisions, suggesting a hybrid model where outside capital pays for improvements but day-to-day choices remain locally informed.

Ownership structures in sports vary. In this case the announcement names OnDeck Partners as the buyer while linking it publicly to the Avenue Sports Fund team. It does not, however, lay out a detailed breakdown of who will hold equity, how decisions will be governed, or whether there will be minority local partners with voting rights.

What the deal notice revealed — and what it left private

The public notice outlined the core facts: OnDeck Partners is buying the two clubs and plans investments at both sites with a community-focus. It also flagged that standard league approvals will be needed to close the transactions, and that some staff and management changes are possible as the new owners integrate operations.

Key financial details were not disclosed. The press release did not include a purchase price, specific capital commitments, or exact timelines for stadium work. That is normal in these sales: buyers often keep price and internal financing private, and many investments depend on later approvals from Major League Baseball’s minor-league governance and local authorities.

League approval is the most important regulatory step. The transaction will likely need sign-off from Minor League Baseball and MLB’s office to confirm club licenses and affiliations remain in place. Municipal agreements — stadium leases, naming rights and public funding arrangements — will also shape what happens next.

What a “community-first” strategy looks like in practice

OnDeck Partners’ pitch focuses on three practical areas: stadium upgrades, community programs and local partnerships. For fans that could mean better seating, improved concessions, more family programming and a cleaner, safer game-day experience. For players and staff it suggests investments in training facilities and game operations.

On the community side the owners promise youth baseball clinics, school partnerships, charity work and outreach that uses the team platform to boost local causes. Those moves are low-cost but high-visibility; they help build goodwill and keep season-ticket sales healthy.

The group also said it plans to lean on local managers and promoters to handle daily operations rather than imposing a distant corporate team. That approach aims to preserve the local character of nights at the ballpark — from the community promotions to the food vendors people associate with their home team.

Still, making good on those plans takes money and time. Stadium improvements often require permits, construction bids, and sometimes public approvals if cities are asked to chip in. Community programs require sustained staffing and coordination. Success will depend on follow-through, not just press statements.

How cities and fans are likely to feel — jobs, tourism and civic pride

At a basic level, new owners paying to improve a stadium is a win for local economies. Construction work brings short-term jobs; a spruced-up ballpark can host more events and bring more visitors, which boosts nearby restaurants, hotels and shops. That ripple effect is what city leaders often highlight when a team changes hands.

For fans, the promise of better game nights and stronger community ties is a clear plus. Local officials typically respond positively to investment pledges, but they will watch contract details closely — lease terms, tax arrangements and guarantees about local hiring.

There are potential tensions. If upgrades lean on public money or if the new owners centralize operations in a distant office, critics will push back. And if promised improvements slow down or don’t match early statements, goodwill can evaporate quickly in small communities where teams are part of local identity.

What comes next — approvals, projects and a watchlist

The near-term timeline is straightforward: approvals from league bodies come first, then public and local contract negotiations, then the start of any capital projects. Watch for announcements about stadium leases, concrete dollar commitments to upgrades, and any new hires at the executive or team level.

Broader context: private funds and wealthy investors buying minor-league clubs is a growing trend. Some of these owners focus on flipping teams for profit; others emphasize community stewardship. OnDeck Partners is pitching the latter. Whether that approach holds up will depend on the size of the investments, how decisions are shared with local leaders, and whether the fan experience actually improves.

For Montgomery and Visalia, the next months will be about proof: formal approvals and visible work at the ballpark. If the new owners follow through, fans could see nicer games and a stronger local team presence. If not, the promise of community-first ownership will quickly be tested.

Sources

• prnewswire.com