A new ownership group of New England business leaders and Fenway Sports Management has purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox from the Triple-A franchise’s longtime owners, according to a news release from the Pawtucket Red Sox.
The 10-member ownership group is led by principal owners Larry Lucchino and James J. Skeffington. They purchased the team from Madeleine Mondor, widow of the late Ben Mondor; Michael Tamburro and Ludwig Schwechheimer.
Boston Red Sox President Lucchino will be the chairman of the club, and Skeffington, a Rhode Island lawyer, will be the team president.
The daily operations of the ball club will continue to be managed by Tamburro, who will serve as chief executive officer; Schwechheimer, who will serve as vice president and general manager; and Matthew White, who will serve as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. All members of the staff will remain with the ball club.
“The Boston Red Sox have enjoyed a productive relationship with the Pawtucket Red Sox for more than four decades,” Lucchino said in the release. “The franchise has played key roles in the Red Sox’ historic success, both as a player development affiliate and as a Rhode Island home for affordable family entertainment. We seek to enhance those roles, and to honor the substantial contributions that Ben Mondor and his loyal team have made to this community for generations.”
The new owners also announced a preliminary plan to leave McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket and build a new ballpark in Providence, within walking distance of downtown.
Lucchino will continue in his role as president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, with whom he begins his 14th season. He, as well as officials of the Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management, will be available to the Pawtucket Red Sox to offer guidance, experience and resources.
“We are very excited about our purchase of the Pawtucket Red Sox and the opportunity to partner with the Boston Red Sox to provide first-class baseball and family entertainment to our loyal fan base in New England,” said Skeffington, who will oversee the operation on a daily basis.
“We want to express our deep gratitude to Ben and Madeleine for their unwavering devotion to the fans and their lasting commitment to the community,” Skeffington said. “We will strive to live up to the Mondors’ legacy and to take this franchise to the next level both for Rhode Island and the Red Sox.”
The 10-member ownership group includes New England business and community leaders with backgrounds in commerce, finance, law, philanthropy and sports management.