They used to be the Norwich Navigators. Now they’re the Connecticut Defenders. But after this season, we could be calling them "gone."
City council members unanimously agreed Monday night to being the process of selling the Defenders to a Virginia-based group. The resolution officially transfers the outstanding stadium lease from the existing owners to the new ownership.
"There’s a lot of moving parts and no real answer to when and if they will leave, but they’re certainly working toward that," said Charlie Dawd, Defenders' general manager.
Town leaders say it’s possible a Class A Team from the New York-Penn league could take the Defender’s place. However, Minor League Baseball prohibits teams from negotiating relocation deals until the Defender’s sale is complete.
The resolution requires the new owners pay all outstanding debts to the city. Right now, that total is around $363,000 in back rent and other debts.
