(Joplin, MO) – In a press conference held at the Joplin Chamber of Commerce on March 7, the Joplin Outlaws confirmed the franchise has been purchased by new owners and will play in a new league in 2024.
The new ownership group, led by experienced baseball executives, is relocating the team from the MINK League to the new Mid America League, a six-team summer development league based in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas.
One of the team’s lead investors is National Sports Services, a national sports marketing company whose principals have over 70 years of collective experience with the ownership and operation of sports franchises. Matt Perry, President of the firm, commented, “We’re really excited to acquire the Outlaws franchise and build on the wonderful base established by Mark Rains and the Outlaws board of trustees. For years, they’ve provided opportunities for college players to enhance their skills while providing great benefits to the community. We look forward to taking their efforts to the next level and are currently pursuing the addition of local partners to further solidify our ties to the region.”
Mark Rains, who has led the operation of the Outlaws since its founding, added, “My recent health issues caused us to consider selling the team, but we’re confident that Matt and his group will be a positive influence in growing the Outlaws influence in the community. We take great pride in the efforts of our entire group in ensuring there was summer baseball in Joplin all these years. This is an exciting yet emotional time as we pass the Outlaws’ torch to new owners.”
The inaugural season of the Mid America League includes a 68-game schedule, which will offer fans an additional 12 home dates compared to the MINK league schedule. The Outlaws will join teams in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Texas teams in Texarkana, White Oak/Longview, Sherman and Abilene. Future expansion will include Oklahoma and Louisiana. The summer development league will predominantly be comprised of college aged players who will have an opportunity to earn income during the season via the League’s Name, Image and Likeness program.
Nick Weisenborn is joining the Outlaws organization as General Manager, and Jeff Bader, will serve as Assistant General Manager of Sales. Nick brings six years of experience in collegiate athletics administration to the team, including the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, Tulane and Oklahoma Baptist. Prior to that, Nick was a sales executive with the Kansas City Royals. Jeff is a Joplin area native with extensive sales experience in the market, most recently with a local radio station.
The new ownership group has developed new team marks for the Outlaws for the upcoming season, including primary and secondary logos and a new accent color. Perry emphasized, “The new marks will allow the team to add new merchandise and branding opportunities as we take the organization forward. The team’s new logos and colors will soon be added to the team’s website, which will be undergoing reconstruction over the next couple weeks.
For additional information, please contact Nick Weisenborn at nickweisenborn.nnw@gmail.com or Matt Perry at matt@nsssports.com or visit the team’s website.
References:
Nick Weisenborn, General Manager
Joplin Outlaws
nickweisenborn.nnw@gmail.com
Matt Perry, Prsident
National Sports Services
matt@nsssports.com
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