Isotopes sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings; CEO says he's committed to Albuquerque

The Albuquerque Isotopes have a new owner who said Tuesday he's committed to staying in New Mexico's largest city. Also, the purchase will mean more non-baseball events at Isotopes Park, according to the new owner.

Diamond Baseball Holdings purchased two Triple-A teams from Ken Young on Tuesday — the Norfolk Tides and the Isotopes — expanding its roster of minor league baseball teams to 25.

The Isotopes will remain the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies and Isotopes Vice President and General Manager John Traub and the current front office staff will remain in their roles.

DBH CEO Peter Freund, who's owned the PCL's Memphis Redbirds since 2017, said he's known Young for over a decade. A few years ago, Freund engaged in discussions about purchasing the Isotopes.

"Albuquerque is the perfect minor league market," Freund told the Journal on Tuesday. He said DBH hopes to own more than 30 MiLB clubs by opening day in 2024 and through synergies can offer an affordable game day experience as well programming in the offseason.

"For fans, this is not only about baseball," he said. "We want to get other people into the ballpark."

Freund said he'll explore bringing concerts, barnstorming acts such as the Savannah Bananas (which last week announced Albuquerque would be on its 2024 tour) and a winter wonderland type experience to Isotopes Park.

"We want to activate that ballpark," he said.

The Isotopes confirmed their current deal with the city extends through 2027. Freund said he wants the Isotopes in Albuquerque.

"I want people to know I'm committed to that ballpark and that community." he said. "Saying this probably is not great for leverage with the city."

Young staying on as adviser

An ownership group led by Young and Mike Koldyke reintroduced baseball to Albuquerque two decades ago and the Isotopes have consistently been at or near the top of attendance markers for the Pacific Coast League.

Young will remain involved with both the Tides and Isotopes in an advisory capacity, according to a news release.

Traub, the Isotopes GM, said he talks to Young "almost daily," and plans to continue to do so.

"He's been a terrific mentor and friend," he said. "Our entire community is grateful he's staying on."

Traub called Young the "catalyst" for the Isotopes' success, noting his influence on all aspects of game day operations.

In a news release, Young said the next chapter of the team is in "excellent hands."

“I could not be prouder of the Albuquerque Isotopes and grateful to our fans and community here for their unwavering support over the past 20 years,” he said in the news release.

What's next?

More than 11 million people have entered the gates of what is now Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park since it opened two decades ago. This year, the Isotopes welcomed 521,521 fans, an average of 7,048 over 74 home games, to lead the PCL in attendance.

Freund said Albuquerque checks all the boxes — market size, quality facilities, experienced staff and management — for sustained success.

He said baseball fans can expect "family friendly, affordable entertainment" to continue.

Traub said he's excited about DBH ownership. He said the group has already OK'd the installation of new LED auxiliary scoreboards around the stadium.

"We've established the bar so high from Day 1 (in regard to fan experience) and we're going to continue to do that," he said.

Though the Isotopes missed the playoffs with a 68-82 overall record in 2023, the team set a franchise record with 959 runs scored, and their 173 stolen bases were second most in club history.

The team opens the 2024 season at Isotopes Park on March 29 vs. El Paso.

DBH expanding

Freund and Pat Battle, executive chairman of the group, formed DBH in 2021 shortly after Major League Baseball restructured Minor League Baseball, allowing entities to own more than one team at each level of the minor league system.

With the purchase of the Isotopes and the Tides, DBH now owns 25 minor league teams. Eight are Triple-A squads, including the Iowa Cubs, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Gwinnett Stripers, St. Paul Saints, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Memphis Redbirds.

"We're very bullish on MiLB," Freund said. "We want to continue to grow because we believe it strengthens each individual organization ... through scaling and synergies we can bring."

The deal to purchase the Isotopes and Tides is pending MLB approval.