News Summary
The Bristol City Council has approved a revised operating agreement with Boyd Sports and Bristol City Schools for Tod Houston Field, which will become the home of the Bristol State Liners baseball team. Boyd Sports will pay an annual fee of $25,000 and invest $2 million in a new stadium. Bristol City Schools will contribute $1.5 million. Renovations are set to minimize impact on local sports schedules, and city officials expect enhanced economic activity from the new facility.
Bristol, Tennessee – The Bristol City Council has officially approved an updated operating agreement with Boyd Sports and Bristol City Schools for Tod Houston Field, which is set to become the home of the Bristol State Liners baseball team. This decision follows previous discussions in the past year focused on finding new revenue sources for the city.
Under the new lease agreement, Boyd Sports is committed to paying the city an annual fee of $25,000. This is a significant increase from the original agreement, which stipulated a payment of $15,000 yearly over a span of 15 years. In addition, Boyd Sports will invest approximately $2 million into the construction of a new stadium at the Tod Houston Field site.
Bristol City Schools will support the project with a contribution of $1.5 million, ensuring that the renovated field will benefit the city, the school system, and Boyd Sports. Following the renovations, the field will continue to serve as the home ground for Tennessee High School’s baseball team and will be available for various special events hosted by the city.
The upcoming Appalachian League season is slated to begin on June 5th, with renovations to the field designed to be completed in a phased manner to minimize impact on Tennessee High’s baseball schedule for the 2026 season. In a notable shift, the Bristol State Liners played their home games in Greeneville during the 2024 season and are scheduled to play in Johnson City for the entire 2025 season while the new home is under construction.
Bristol city officials express optimism that the new facility will enhance local economic activity by attracting visitors for games and events. Boyd Sports, which owns several teams within the Appalachian League, also operates the Knoxville Smokies, Johnson City Doughboys, Greeneville Flyboys, and the Elizabethton River Riders, supporting a robust minor league baseball presence in the region.
The decision to build a new stadium at this location not only signifies a step forward for the Bristol State Liners but also marks a collaborative effort among municipal stakeholders to enhance the local infrastructure and community engagement through sports, thus laying a foundation for future growth and improvement in Bristol.
With the new agreement and investment in place, the City Council aims to revitalize Tod Houston Field, establishing it as a premier venue for baseball and other community events while preserving its historical significance in the area. As preparations for the 2026 season begin, interest in the project is expected to continue growing, with high hopes for economic and social benefits stemming from the city’s newest venture.
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Additional Resources
- WCYB
- Wikipedia: Bristol State Liners
- WJHL
- Google Search: Tod Houston Field
- Supertalk 92.9
- Google Scholar: Boyd Sports
- WJHL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Appalachian League
- WCYB
- Google News: Bristol City Council
