Sports–Entertainment

By Elizabeth King
January 6, 2025

Retired NFL player Michael Lehan opens dessert store in Bradenton

Peach Cobbler Factory offers several sweets, including a variety of cobblers.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Elizabeth King
January 3, 2025

Indoor golf franchise opens in Pinellas, Manatee counties

The Back Nine offers golfers the ability to try more than 250 courses using simulators.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Louis Llovio
December 30, 2024

Tampa Bay Rays enter 2025 with more questions than answers

After a tough 2024, the baseball team faces major decisions — and problems — in the new year.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Elizabeth King
December 26, 2024

Interest in padel increases in Sarasota, major tournament coming in 2025

"Word is definitely out there" about padel, says Ellie Berdusco, manager of sports facility The Pad Sarasota.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Louis Llovio
December 17, 2024

Despite county's yes vote, Tampa Rays want more money for $1.3B ballpark

The team says it cannot cover cost increases and that it will negotiate with municipalities already cash strapped and unwilling to pay more.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Laura Lyon
December 17, 2024

SWFL country club with two campuses completes $50M renovation

The repairs and replacements happened on two campuses over two years.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Mark Gordon
December 17, 2024

Pickleball club chain, including debut Lakewood Ranch location, shutters

Founded in 2019, the club says it doesn’t "have sufficient financial resources to continue operations."

Manatee-Sarasota

By Mark Gordon
December 13, 2024

Prominent homebuilder donates $1M to New College for baseball field

The construction timeline will be announced next year.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Mark Gordon
December 13, 2024

Former Navy SEAL invests $1M in Sarasota-Manatee fitness franchise

Behind a "never complain and never quit" disposition, Jeff Moore seeks a business legacy not of sales records and awards but of developing other leaders. "I'm all go, no stop. All gas, no brakes."

Manatee-Sarasota

By Elizabeth King
December 12, 2024

Fort Myers entertainment company appoints new CEO

Sports broadcaster Matt Shepard has been named the new CEO of GameAbove Entertainment.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

By Louis Llovio
December 5, 2024

St. Pete approves bonds for Rays ballpark, saving deal — for now

After weeks of threats and delays, the agreement for the Tampa Bay Rays to build a new stadium took a positive, though tentative, step forward.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Louis Llovio
December 2, 2024

Tampa Bay Rays appear to backtrack on stadium project threats

In a letter to the Pinellas County Commission chair, the team says the agreements to build a new ballpark remain "in effect” for the time being.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Mark Gordon
November 27, 2024

Pinellas County to Rays: Make a decision by Sunday on $1.3B stadium project

In a sometimes scolding letter, Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters flatly asks officials with the Tampa Bay Rays if they are in or out on a $1.3 billion stadium deal the team agreed to four months ago.