RENDERING VIA ORLANDO DREAMERS
Prominent trial attorney and media darling John Morgan has withdrawn from the Orlando Dreamers’ (Website) investor group, dealing a major blow to the organization’s ongoing effort to bring Major League Baseball to Central Florida.
Morgan, who had (very) publicly committed $250 million to the proposed stadium and franchise plan in May of this year, confirmed his exit in interviews this week. He has since criticized the Dreamers initiative, describing it as the use of Orlando as a “bargaining chip” to keep the Tampa Bay Rays in the Tampa area, saying “the fix is in” and signaling frustration with the political and business climate surrounding MLB expansion and relocation.
Morgan’s withdrawal follows similar moves by other key backers, including Rick Workman, another anchor investor who is now involved with a rival group seeking to buy the Rays and keep them in Tampa Bay. Together, these departures have cast doubt on the financial strength of the Dreamers’ bid, which was built on a combination of private investment and public support.
The Dreamers organization has publicly acknowledged the investor losses but emphasized that Morgan’s share represented less than a quarter of the total financing letters of intent that have already been secured. Dreamers’ leadership said they remain “in full stride” and are working to replace lost capital and continue the push for an MLB franchise in Orlando.
For now, the loss of one of Florida’s highest-profile lawyers and philanthropists is the most significant setback yet for the Dreamers since their 2019 debut as an expansion effort.
