Bryan approves rental deal with Ventura Sports to bring Mid America Baseball to Travis Major Field

Bryan City Council unanimously approved a rental agreement with Ventura Sports Group on a motion to allow a Mid America Baseball League franchise to play at Travis Major Field beginning in the 2026 season.

Deputy City Manager Joy Dunn summarized the proposal, saying the agreement would be a three‑year rental term from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028, with a possible two‑year extension. Under the terms presented, Ventura would pay $1,000 per game for 32 regular‑season games (a $32,000 prepayment due at the start of each season, May 20), and the city would retain shares of net revenues from concessions, sponsorships and broadcasts, according to staff. Dunn said the arrangement retains non‑exclusive access for amateur users — youth leagues, high school teams and other community users could still book the field.

The council and staff emphasized the distinction between the city’s earlier RFP for full facility management, which the council rejected, and this rental agreement, which is a short‑term exclusive use for an independent professional franchise during 32 game dates. "We did go through an RFP process," Dunn said, and said the city will assume facility management on Jan. 1 while the rental agreement covers game‑day operations by Ventura.

Mark Shuster, chief executive officer of Ventura Sports Group, told the council he has roughly 40 years of experience operating teams and venues. He acknowledged an active business dispute reported in media coverage and called it a typical industry dispute: "In doing this for 35 to 40 years, if you're in business, you're gonna have disputes," Shuster said. He provided references from host cities in the league and said Ventura would deliver a home‑game schedule by Nov. 15 each year to allow city planning.

Council members questioned how the proposed agreement differs from the prior long‑term relationship with the Bombers (identified in testimony as Infinity/Infinity Sports). Staff said the previous arrangement produced no rent or sponsorship revenue to the city and that utility costs historically were subsidized by the city (staff described prior annual utility support in the range of $25,000–$35,000). Under the Ventura proposal, staff said utilities are effectively built into the rental fee and the city expects to capture new revenue streams.

Council discussion repeatedly cited prior negotiations with the Bombers and described citizens’ frustration after that tenant announced a move to College Station. Several council members described lengthy prior efforts to negotiate a new arrangement with the Bombers and said Ventura’s offer had been checked against references. After extended questioning of the applicant and staff, a councilmember moved to approve the rental agreement; the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Council did not provide a detailed roll‑call vote in the public record at the meeting. The agreement as presented requires Ventura to provide a season schedule by Nov. 15 and allows Ventura four additional practice dates; it also permits the city to book the facility for non‑competing users outside Ventura’s game dates. Staff said the rental approach will allow the city to pursue additional bookings and revenue outside Ventura’s 32 game dates each season.

The council’s action authorizes the city manager to finalize and execute the rental agreement consistent with the terms discussed at the meeting. The city indicated it will continue due diligence regarding references and outstanding business disputes but judged the proposed revenue and operational terms preferable to the prior arrangement.

Council and staff said they will provide additional public details about implementation, event scheduling and the city’s role in year‑round facility management in future staff reports.