Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays infield looks on during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Southwest Florida ties span Rays-Brewers World Series

Updated 9 hrs ago

Southwest Florida has skin in the World Series: Naples investors own a piece of the Brewers, a homebuilder owns the Rays, and a Naples-owned b…

City of Palms Classic pairs $500K budget with $1M impact

Sep 15, 2026

The City of Palms Classic has a $500,000-plus price tag — and a roughly $1 million economic impact for Lee County. Even with more Florida team…

How a $9.5M Minnesota Twins prospect is managing his money

Updated Aug 24, 2026

Twins prospect Vahn Lackey landed a record $9.5 million signing bonus at 21. He’s barely spending it. Instead, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels c…

Florida Everblades become Pittsburgh Penguins’ ECHL affiliate

Jul 17, 2026

The Florida Everblades will become the Pittsburgh Penguins' ECHL affiliate beginning in 2026-27, extending the Hoffmann family's hockey footpr…

Youth sports tourism fuels Southwest Florida growth

Jun 1, 2026

Youth and amateur sports tourism has become a major economic engine across Southwest Florida, filling hotels, restaurants and sports complexes…

Adam Silver eyes SWFL for NBA G League expansion

Updated Apr 17, 2026

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Southwest Florida ranks among top candidates for a future G League team, citing rapid growth and the league’…

Back Nine Golf simulator opens in Port Charlotte

Updated Jan 9, 2026

Back Nine Golf opened Charlotte County’s first indoor golf simulator facility in Port Charlotte, offering year-round play, memberships and a p…

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Hoffmann family to acquire controlling stake in Pittsburgh Penguins

Updated Dec 20, 2025

Naples billionaire David Hoffmann and his family are set to take control of the Pittsburgh Penguins in a deal valued near $1.7 billion, markin…

Florida Conquer Volleyball opens Fort Myers training hub

Updated Oct 27, 2025

Florida Conquer Volleyball Club opened an 18,000-square-foot training and competition facility in Fort Myers, marking a major step in the club…

PickleRage to transform Big Lots space in south Fort Myers

Updated Oct 17, 2025

Pickleball’s boom is hitting Fort Myers real estate. PickleRage, a Miami Beach-based franchise, will open a 13-court indoor facility in a form…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers founder honored in south Fort Myers

Updated Sep 25, 2025

Bill Marcum, who helped bring the Buccaneers to Tampa, was honored with a personalized jersey and commemorative gifts as the NFL team marked i…

Ace, others to open membership-based pickleball courts in SWFL

May 5, 2025

Roswell, Georgia-based Ace Pickleball Club franchise is growing in Florida and nationwide, among those companies capitalizing on the game’s ri…

My Shower Door blankets spring training in signage with Twins, Red Sox

Mar 7, 2025

My Shower Door signs can be seen all over both of Lee County’s spring training ballparks, and Bill Daubmann said he enjoys the fun factor in f…

SWFL celebrates 100 years of hosting MLB spring training

Feb 1, 2025

When the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays report to work mid-February, they begin six weeks of practices and Grapefruit Leag…

Collier TDC recommends long-term US Open Pickleball Championship contract

Aug 21, 2024

Collier County’s Tourist Development Council unanimously recommended the county spend $2.09 million in tourist-development tax funds to extend…

Charlotte Co. high schools ink naming rights deals for stadiums, athletic fields

Aug 2, 2024

Charlotte County School Board recently adopted Policy 7250, allowing district schools to sell naming rights to their stadiums and athletic fie…

US Open Pickleball Championships set records

Jul 23, 2024

After hosting the largest Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships since its 2016 inception, the new owners have plans that will grow the inte…

Team leadership, soccer fans christen FC Naples

Jun 25, 2024

In the months since the January announcement that Naples would have a professional soccer team, the ownership group held listening sessions, c…

Boca Co. gives pickleball paddles perky personality

Jun 5, 2024

Kelsey Peterson started the company, where she designs Florida-themed paddles geared toward female players.

New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis puts business degree to use

Apr 30, 2024

Hargis began his new job at FGCU on April 29 knowing he would have about $15 million in annual funding—and also knowing the budget has more th…

The duo behind Junior Golf Performance Academy’s success

Mar 1, 2024

Spencer Graham and Thor Parrish could be called the yin and yang of Southwest Florida golf.

TwinCutZ builds brand awareness through City of Palms Classic basketball tournament

Dec 21, 2023

As the City of Palms Classic high school basketball tournament continues through Saturday at Florida SouthWestern State College, so do the hai…

Pickleball’s growth causing racket among SWFL tennis playersâ¯

Nov 13, 2023

Tennis has been part of Carl Back’s life since he was a child, starting in elementary school. He remembers visiting his parents on Marco Islan…

Florida Everblades enhance fan, advertising experience at Hertz Arena

Nov 3, 2023

When Naples billionaire David Hoffmann bought the Florida Everblades minor league hockey team in 2019, he immediately poured money into upgrad…

Repairs to Charlotte Sports Park near completion

Oct 5, 2023

Charlotte County officials took a walk-through Wednesday to see the renovation and repair work going on at Charlotte Sports Park. The repair…

Tampa Bay Rays on track to return to Charlotte Sports Park for spring training in 2024

Sep 15, 2023

Charlotte County staff continues to work to ensure the Tampa Bay Rays will be back at Charlotte Sports Park for spring training, Commissioner …

Name, Image, Likeness rights give students new opportunities at schools large, small

Aug 1, 2023

Florida Gulf Coast University men’s basketball players were having their own March Madness on a late Friday afternoon. Their season had ended …

Mighty Mussels retool promotions, hope for less rain in 2023 season

Apr 21, 2023

The hype and the hoopla of minor league baseball’s Opening Day has passed. Now, the hard work begins for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels under s…

NBA allows scouts to attend GEICO Nationals in south Fort Myers

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NBA allows scouts to attend GEICO Nationals in south Fort Myers

Mar 30, 2023

For the first time in almost 20 years, the NBA is allowing its team’s scouts to attend a lim…

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank donates final $275K to Fort Myers High for new field

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Sanibel Captiva Community Bank donates final $275K to Fort Myers High for new field

Feb 1, 2023

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank donated the final $275,000 needed by Fort Myers High School t…

Boston Red Sox hire new GM of Fenway South complex

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Boston Red Sox hire new GM of Fenway South complex

Jan 26, 2023

The Boston Red Sox hired a new general manager to oversee the year-round presence of the Fen…

Sports Challenge America aims for April launch in Bonita Springs

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Sports Challenge America aims for April launch in Bonita Springs

Jan 18, 2023

The Sports Challenge America sports entertainment venue plans to open April 1 near where the…

Little Joe’s concessions becomes big part of City of Palms Classic

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Little Joe’s concessions becomes big part of City of Palms Classic

Dec 20, 2022

“Little” Joe Almallah is becoming a big part of the national-caliber boys high school basket…

New acting executive director learns how to run City of Palms Classic basketball tournament

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New acting executive director learns how to run City of Palms Classic basketball tournament

Dec 16, 2022

Mary Schaack, who began her affiliation with the City of Palms Classic high school basketbal…

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