NC Investors acquire two Old North State Baseball League Teams

(Ramseur, NC) The Old North State Baseball League (ONSL) announces the sale of two of its original teams to local investors.

The Oak City Gliders based in Raleigh, NC has been purchased by Phillip Lin, entrepreneur who is a minority owner of the Fayetteville Fury(an indoor soccer league) and the Owner of Catering by Design and Howdy Homemade Ice cream, both based in Cary, NC. The Howdy Homemade Ice Cream business model supports a non-profit (the Tsai Chung Ling Foundation) that creates jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Phillip Lin stated, "As a lifelong baseball fan, it’s always been a dream of mine to own a baseball team. I am so thrilled that I am able to fulfill my dream in the city that I love, and to dedicate the team to the memory of my mom, who loved the sport as much as I did. This is such a special moment for me. My plan for the team is to continue the tradition of the league being for the players as well as enhancing the fan experience."

Alec Allred, President and CEO of ONSL stated, "The Old North State League is extremely excited to welcome the Tsai Chung Ling Foundation and Phillip Lin. Phillip brings a wealth of knowledge from other business ventures around North Carolina. We are all looking forward to watching the Gliders soar to new heights in the Old North State League." 

The Oak City Gliders play at Optimist Park on 5900 Whittier Drive in Raleigh. The season runs through June and July.

The Hendersonville Honeycrisps, based in Hendersonville, NC, has been purchased by Third Street Sports, an ownership group made up of Kyle Aldridge, Doug Roper, and Brad Morrison who are all childhood friends and former High School and College baseball players. Kyle Aldridge has an accounting background, Doug Roper II is the current Mayor of Vidalia, Georgia, and Brad Morrison lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he owns an IT related business.

"We're excited to partner with the Hendersonville community in bringing high quality baseball and family entertainment back to historic Berkeley Park next summer. We can't wait to showcase the tremendous baseball talent in the area and build on last year's successful inaugural season. General Manager Mark Emery and Head Coach Will Lindsey have laid the groundwork for a winning team for years to come." said new owner, Kyle Aldridge.

Returning Honeycrips General Manager, Mark Emery stated, "With the Honeycrisps success in their Inaugural Season, year two looks to be more successful. Will Lindsey and the whole Coaching Staff will return but the most exciting part is the new ownership group. The Third Street Sports owners played Baseball at the collegiate level and are bringing their expertise to the Mountains. We are looking forward to getting the community involved and having a fun filled summer of competitive baseball."

The Hendersonville Honeycrisps joined the Old North State League in 2022. Their season runs through June and July. The Crips play at historic Berkeley Mills Park that has been dubbed, "The Orchard" by the fans.

President and CEO of the Old North State League, Alec Allred, explained the transactions, "We believe very strongly that the ultimate success of the league is dependent on the private ownership of every team in the league. This will lead to bigger crowd sizes, more community support, and bigger media content deals. It has long been our goal to be a league free to all players and I believe this helps us get there in the future!"

The Old North State League operates with fourteen collegiate baseball teams in locations from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Coast.

Jesse Grant at The Sports Advisory Group, the nation's leading sports M&A advisory firm, assisted with the transactions.For more information contact:Alec Allred, President and CEO ONSL: alecallred@oldnorthstateleague.comJesse Grant, The Sports Advisory Group: Jesse@thesportsadvisorygroup.com 845-612-9323

Phillip Lin, Owner Oak City Gliders: philliplin@oldnorthststeleague.com

Kyle Aldridge, Owner Third Street Sports, LLC: kyle@hendersonvillehoneycrisps.com