Sports–Entertainment

By Louis Llovio
June 1, 2024

Hoffmann's Midwest buying spree continues with cruise company purchase

The Naples business conglomerate has bought a Michigan cruise business with two ships.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

By Louis Llovio
May 23, 2024

Tampa Bay Sun FC will play inaugural game in August

The Tampa pro women's soccer team will take on Dallas Trinity FC on Aug. 18 in historic first game for the USL Super League and the teams.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Elizabeth King
May 17, 2024

Softball bat maker plans to double workforce, add baseball bats

The owner of Pure Sports Technologies moves to Manatee County with his eye on the ball — baseball — as he expands his bat manufacturing business.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Louis Llovio
May 11, 2024

Tampa Bay Rays make a last stand, with future now up to St. Pete City Council

As St. Petersburg's governing body takes up a $6 billion team-led redevelopment with a stadium, the Rays president says a move — out of Tampa Bay — remains possible without an agreement.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Elizabeth King
May 9, 2024

Liz Dimmitt drives museum, auto dealership forward with continual change

“We had to decide ‘This too shall pass.’ That was a scary time, but we had faith that sooner or later the world would have to open back up.” –Liz Dimmitt, Dimmitt Chevrolet/Fairgrounds St. Pete

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Andrew Warfield
May 6, 2024

Sarasota theater progresses on $57M plaza, affordable housing project

Florida Studio Theatre's Arts Plaza will include new theater space, a parking garage and housing for downtown arts workers.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Mark Gordon
April 30, 2024

8 Florida teams, with Yankees on top, surpass 100K in spring training attendance

The Tampa Bay Rays reached about 4,000 fans per game in Charlotte County.

Florida

By Louis Llovio
April 26, 2024

Global volleyball stars launch multisport facility in Venice

Business partners Donald Suxho and Yury Shakirov are building a dedicated training facility with volleyball and pickleball courts that they believe will draw both future pros and those looking for fun.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Louis Llovio
April 17, 2024

Sarasota daiquiri bar expands to Tropicana Field

Daiquiri Deck has signed a multiyear deal to partner with the Tampa Bay Rays at the team's St. Petersburg stadium.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Mark Gordon
April 11, 2024

Lifetime TV movie 'Roommate Regret' filmed in St. Pete makes its debut

A made-for-TV movie filmed almost entirely in downtown St. Petersburg is scheduled to make its debut Thursday night on the Lifetime Movie Network.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Beth Luberecki
April 8, 2024

NY concert promoter, exec brings exclusive private gig club to Sarasota

Barry Weisblatt is using his decades of music business exocrine to jumpstart a new business idea: a private concert club.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Mark Gordon
April 3, 2024

Naples yacht membership club appoints new CEO

David Arredondo, a South Florida-based executive and entrepreneur with experience in technology and e-commerce, has been named CEO of Naples-based Exclusive Yachts.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

By Jay Heater
April 1, 2024

East Manatee County golf-hotel-residential project underway

COVID-19 delayed but didn't derail a unique golf-resort project in one of the fastest growing parts of the region. "This (area) is where everything is happening," the project executive says.