Bristol, Tenn., in Talks with Boyd Sports Over Managing Tod Houston Field

Bristol, Tenn. – Exciting developments are underway as the Bristol Tennessee City Council engages in active discussions with Boyd Sports regarding the management of Tod Houston Field. During a recent city council meeting, Mike Mains, the Bristol Tennessee Parks and Recreation Director, presented a draft agreement that could see Boyd Sports take over the operations of this prominent field. This move has the potential to make Tod Houston Field the new home for the local baseball team, the Bristol State Liners.

Mike Mains shared, “Boyd Sports right now is operating four teams in the Tri-Cities area—the River Riders, Fly Boys, Doughboys, and Kingsport. Each of these clubs has a unique type of licensing or operational agreement with Boyd.” He added that the City of Bristol plans to license the stadium to Boyd Sports specifically for Appalachian League Baseball purposes for a period of 15 years.

Under the terms of the draft agreement, the City of Bristol would receive an annual lease payment of $15,000 and an additional $1 from every online ticket sold. Boyd Sports will be responsible for managing events and operations at Tod Houston Field from May 15 through December 31 each year.

The agreement also covers aspects like advertising, naming rights, maintenance, utilities, and concessions. Mains emphasized that the Bristol Tennessee school system would have priority access to the field during the school baseball season. Furthermore, the city retains the right to schedule community events like concerts, provided they give prior notice.

Mains highlighted, “We would love the facility to be used as much as possible.”

Both the Bristol Tennessee City Council and the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education have shown their commitment by sending a joint letter to Major League Baseball, signaling their dedication to hosting Appalachian League play at Tod Houston Field. This collaboration envisions the field becoming a shared sporting venue for the Tennessee High Vikings and the Bristol State Liners.

The renovation costs are significant, with the City Council pledging to raise $5 million and the Bristol Board of Education committing $1.5 million. If Boyd Sports agrees to manage the operations, they would invest an additional $2 million into the project.

City Manager Kelli Bourgeois stated, “While the operations agreement is exclusively between the city and Boyd Sports, we want the Board of Education to be involved in the discussions. Everything we do affects what the school can or can’t do.”

Concerns about timelines and contingency plans were raised during the council meeting. Councilmember Margaret Feierabend asked about the expected completion date for the field renovations and whether there’s an alternative plan if timelines aren’t met. Mains responded by acknowledging the uncertainty but mentioned ongoing conversations with contractors about laying new turf. The goal is to ensure both Tennessee High and the State Liners can play their seasons uninterrupted.

“We’re going to do everything we can to get that playing surface in the condition it needs to be,” stressed Mains.

The city staff will continue negotiating with Boyd Sports and will present a finalized document for the council’s review sometime soon. The community awaits further updates, eager for the potential of Tod Houston Field to become a central hub for local sports and events.