From left, Pat Battle and Preter Freund of Diamond Baseball Holdings, the new owner of the Fresno Grizzlies. DBH image

The Fresno Grizzlies on Tuesday announced the team’s sale to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates nearly a dozen minor league clubs in the U.S., including the San Jose Giants.

DBH will continue to bring best-in-class experiences and events to Grizzlies fans at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno, where the club will remain as the Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies under the existing leadership of President and General Manager, Derek Franks, and current front office staff, according to a Grizzlies news release.

DBH plans to assume ownership from Fresno Sports & Events, LLC, which took ownership in 2018. The New York-based DBH operates clubs across the country, including:

San Jose Giants – SF Giants High-A Affiliate

Lansing Lugnuts – A’s AA Affiliate

Midland Rockhounds – A’s AA Affiliate

OKC Dodgers – Dodgers AAA Affiliate

Tulsa Drillers – Dodgers AA Affiliate

Albuquerque Isotopes – Rockies AAA Affiliate

Founded in 2021, DBH’s parent company, Silverlake, is an American private equity firm focused on investments in technology, technology-enabled and related industries. DBH was previously under the ownership of Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc, an American holding company for talent and media agencies. Endeavor represents the NFL and NHL and owns Professional Bull Riders and is majority owner of World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship through TKO Group.

In 2022, DBH proceeded on a buying spree, purchasing Wichita Wind Surge, Portland Sea Dogs and Midland RockHounds. It continued this year with recent acquisitions of the Norfolk Tides, Drillers and the Isotopes.

Fresno Sports and Events is made up of father-and-son team Ray and Michael Baker and partner Jim Coufos. 

“We want to thank the City of Fresno, Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno City Council for their support of this partnership and their commitment to stabilizing the franchise in Fresno for many years to come,” said Michael Baker, managing partner of Fresno Sports & Events and current owner of the Grizzlies. “We are passing the torch to DBH, Derek and the staff with full confidence that they will preserve and celebrate the fan experience that defines the Grizzlies.”

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer thanked Baker and Fresno Sports & Events for its strong partnership and dedication to the Fresno Grizzlies.

“We are excited to welcome Diamond Baseball Holdings as they work to finalize this sale.  Their investment, tenure and expertise in minor league baseball will greatly benefit both the Grizzlies, and our continued downtown revitalization.” said Dyer.

Subject to obtaining the consent of the league and satisfying other standard closing conditions, the transaction is expected to be completed promptly.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Grizzlies to bolster what Derek and his team have successfully built in the Fresno community,” said Pat Battle, executive chairman, and Peter Freund, CEO of DBH. “Our shared vision for bringing the absolute best in entertainment to the ballpark 365 days a year is one of many things that excites us most about the franchise along with continuing to grow our relationship with the Colorado Rockies, having recently entered into an agreement to purchase their Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque.”