Portland, Maine, Named the No. 1 Minor League Sports Market in US

Sports Business Journal recently named Portland, Maine, as the No. 1 Minor League Sports Market in the U.S.

This is huge news for the evolution of Portland and is absolutely a testament to the upward direction the city is headed.

This comes only six months after the announcement of Portland's first professional soccer team, The Portland Hearts of Pine.

The team said it best: "The reality is, that Portland, Maine is probably the most slept-on soccer city in the United States."

Kevin Schohl, president of the Hearts of Pine said, "The previous two times they compiled these rankings, Portland ranked #118 (2019) and #71 (2022), so it's a significant jump this year."

After talking with more of their team, Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Portland Hearts of Pine, had a few things to say about the success they've been experiencing in Portland as a new pro soccer team.

"Our record-breaking season ticket and merchandise sales are proof that Maine's sports passion is the best in the country," said Hoffman-Johnson.

"Our club may be new to the scene, but we're proud to join the Sea Dogs, Celtics, and Mariners in representing the #1 minor league sports market in the country," said Schohl.

Speaking of the Portland Sea Dogs, whose stadium was just announced as the new Delta Dental Park, this team also plays a huge part in the new No. 1 stat.

According to Sports Business Journal, "The Class AA club averaged 6,021 fans per game over the past two seasons combined, a 9% increase over the previous decade. That comes despite making the playoffs only once (2022) since 2015, and without any halo effects from the Boston Red Sox, its parent club that has made the playoffs just once in the past six seasons".

What's up next for the Portland Hearts of Pine that we can look forward to seeing in the news?

"The next milestones along our journey will be to introduce our first head coach in early November, and then to reveal our inaugural jersey during an event at the State Theatre on November 21," Gabe Hoffman-Johnson.

How exciting is it to see Portland get this recognition?!