Elmore Sports Group

Elmore Sports Group
IndustrySports management
Founded1969 (1969)
FounderDavid G. Elmore, Sr.
Key people
David G. Elmore, Jr.
Doug Elmore
ParentElmore Companies

Elmore Sports Group is an American sports management company, which has owned various Minor League Baseball and lower-level professional hockey teams, as well as various sports facilities.

History

Elmore Sports Group was founded in 1969 and owns or has previously owned a variety of Minor League Baseball teams, professional hockey clubs, facility, concessions and special event management companies.[1]

The company's founder, David Elmore was granted the King of Baseball award in 2016, which is an award given for long-standing dedication to professional baseball.[2][3] He was previously inducted into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame, in 2014.[4][5] He was elected to the Texas League Hall of Fame in 2016.[6]

Sports properties

Baseball

Current

Team League Level Owned Stadium
Amarillo Sod Poodles[7] Texas League Double-A Hodgetown
Idaho Falls Chukars [8] Pioneer League Independent League Melaleuca Field
Eugene Emeralds [9] Northwest League High-A N/A
Rocky Mountain Vibes[10] Pioneer League Independent League Blocktickets Park
San Antonio Missions[11] Texas League Double-A Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium

Former

Team League Level When owned Owned Stadium
Bakersfield Blaze[12] California League Single-A 2006-2016 N/A
Birmingham Barons[13] Southern League Double-A N/A
Colorado Springs Sky Sox[14] Pacific Coast League Triple-A N/A
Hawaii Islanders[15] Pacific Coast League Triple-A N/A
Inland Empire 66ers[16] California League Single-A San Manuel Stadium
Lynchburg Hillcats[17] Carolina League Single-A N/A

Hockey

Current

Team League Level
Idaho Falls Spud Kings[18] United States Premier Hockey League Tier II junior ice hockey

Former

Team League Level When Owned
Fort Worth Fire[19] Central Hockey League Mid-level minor professional hockey league 1998-1999
Richmond Renegades[20] ECHL Tier 3 professional hockey league 1994-2025
San Antonio Iguanas Central Hockey League Mid-level minor professional hockey league 1998-2002
Utah Grizzlies[21](founded as Denver Grizzlies) (originally owned as Tallahassee Tiger Sharks) ECHL Tier 3 professional hockey league 1994-2025
Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005) American Hockey League (previously International Hockey League) 1995-2006

Soccer

Former

Team League Level
Lane United FC (through Redside Sports LLC) USL League Two Fourth Tier
SoCal SC NPSL Fourth Tier
Tallahassee Scorpions EISL Indoor
Utah Freezz[22][23] World Indoor Soccer League Indoor

Arena football

Former

Team League Level
Tallahassee Thunder AF2 Arena Football League development league

References

  1. ^ "Elmore Sports Group". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  2. ^ "Owner Dave Elmore Named 2016 King of Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  3. ^ "Dave Elmore Named 2016 King of Baseball | Ballpark Digest". Ballpark Digest. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  4. ^ "Sky Sox Owner Dave Elmore to be Inducted into PCL Hall of Fame". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  5. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2014-04-03). "Elmore, Alamada, Hood among PCL Hall of Fame inductees - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  6. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2023-06-08). "In memoriam: Dave Elmore - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  7. ^ Pisani, Hart. "Sod Poodles founder, owner David Elmore dies at 88". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  8. ^ "Idaho Falls Chukars Announce the passing of long-time owner David Elmore". Pioneer Baseball League. 2023-06-09.
  9. ^ "Eugene Emeralds mourn the loss of founder David Elmore, a minor league baseball icon". KVAL. 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  10. ^ "Vibes Mourn the Loss of Founder Dave Elmore, a Minor League Icon". Pioneer Baseball League. 2023-06-09.
  11. ^ Peter L. Scamardo II, mySanAntonio.com (2023-06-09). "Former San Antonio Missions baseball club owner has died at 88". mySA. Archived from the original on 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  12. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2013-10-15). "Elmore buys back Bakersfield Blaze - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  13. ^ Press, Associated (1995-11-01). "GRIZZLIES' OWNER BUYS THE BARONS". Deseret News. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  14. ^ Fobbs, Jaleesia (2023-06-09). "Dave Elmore, owner and founder of Minor League Baseball clubs, dies at 88". KRDO. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  15. ^ "David G. Elmore, an Oakdale, Ill., attorney-businessman, Thursday announced... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  16. ^ "66ers, Owner Dave Elmore Recognized During Opening Days of Baseball Winter Meetings". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  17. ^ Sheehan, Stephanie. "Influential owner Dave Elmore passes away". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  18. ^ Moon, Eric (2023-06-09). "Chukars and Spud Kings Owner Dave Elmore Passes Away at 88". Local News 8. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  19. ^ "David Elmore - Franchise Owner, Idaho Falls Spud Kings (USPHL Premier) - Elite Prospects". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  20. ^ "RICHMOND ECHL TEAM IS SOLD". scholar.lib.vt.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  21. ^ "Utah Grizzlies | Utah Grizzlies Announce Sale and Relocation at the Conclusion of Upcoming Season". Utah Grizzlies. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  22. ^ Genessy, Jody (1999-02-18). "Indoor soccer team owners not worried about past flops". Deseret News. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  23. ^ Hamilton, Linda (2008-07-29). "Utah Grizzlies: Risk built an empire for Elmore". Deseret News. Retrieved 2026-01-26.