BREAKING: Birmingham Barons sold to prominent baseball ownership group

Regions Field (Bham Now)

After 18 years, the Logan family has sold the Birmingham Barons to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league baseball clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB). 

According to a Barons news release, the team will remain a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, led by General Manager & President Jonathan Nelson and the current front office staff at Regions Field. Current owners Jeff and Stan Logan will remain involved with the club in an advisory capacity.

“Our family is deeply grateful for the passionate support of Barons fans and the greater Birmingham community. We are so proud of what we’ve all been able to build here together,” said Don, Jeff and Stan Logan, owners of the Birmingham Barons.

Barons history: Willie Mays, Michael Jordan and Regions Field

Established in 1885, the Barons have existed in many different forms in The Magic City. Rich in baseball history, the team is where Willie Mays got his start, and in 1994 Michael Jordan played a summer. The team’s recent return to Regions Field in downtown Birmingham a decade ago helped revitalize the city.

Who are the new owners

The new owner of the Birmingham Barons, Diamond Baseball Holdings, is one of the most prominent minor league baseball ownership groups in the sport.

Below is their current portfolio of teams, several of which are affiliated with the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees:

Triple-A

Gwinnett Stripers (Braves)

Iowa Cubs (Cubs)

Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals)

Oklahoma City Dodgers (Dodgers)

Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees)

St. Paul Saints (Twins)

Double-A

Midland RockHounds (A’s)

Mississippi Braves (Braves)

Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox)

Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals)

Wichita Wind Surge (Twins)

Altoona Curve (Pirates)

High A

Hickory Crawdads (Rangers)

Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees)

Lansing Lugnuts (A’s)

Rome Braves (Braves)

Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays)

Single-A

Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers)

Salem Rod Sox (Red Sox)

San Jose Giants (Giants)

Augusta Green Jackets (Braves)

New owners understand the Barons

“Since first joining the club in 1993, I’ve seen its incredible history continue and extend into what we all know and love today,” said Jonathan Nelson, General Manager & President of the Birmingham Barons. The Logan family has been central to creating today’s Barons experience and helping to drive the evolution of our city. We will always appreciate their impact,” “The Logans have selected new owners who truly understand what the Barons mean to Birmingham, and we could not be more excited to continue under DBH’s leadership.”

Monumental 2024 season

Mike Hill, Senior Vice President, On-Field Operations, Major League Baseball,Harold Reynolds – MLB Network Analyst; Emcee, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Gerald Watkins – Friends of Rickwood (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Along with new ownership, the upcoming 2024 season promises to be a monumental one for the Birmingham Barons. On June 20, the world will welcome a new classic game to Rickwood Field—the “MLB at Rickwood Field, A Tribute to the Negro Leagues” game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. 

On June 18th—two days before the big leaguers come to Birmingham—the Barons will take on the Montgomery Biscuits at Rickwood.

Are you a Birmingham Barons fan? Tell us favorite experiences at Regions Field on social media by tagging us at @bhamnow