Elmore Sports Group
IndustrySports management
Founded1969 (age 57)
FounderDavid G. Elmore, Sr.
Key peopleDavid 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

TeamLeagueLevelOwned Stadium
Amarillo Sod Poodles[7]Texas LeagueDouble-AHodgetown
Idaho Falls Chukars [8]Pioneer LeagueIndependent LeagueMelaleuca Field
Eugene Emeralds [9]Northwest LeagueHigh-AN/A
Rocky Mountain Vibes[10]Pioneer LeagueIndependent LeagueBlocktickets Park
San Antonio Missions[11]Texas LeagueDouble-ANelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium

Former

TeamLeagueLevelWhen ownedOwned Stadium
Bakersfield Blaze[12]California LeagueSingle-A2006-2016N/A
Birmingham Barons[13]Southern LeagueDouble-AN/A
Colorado Springs Sky Sox[14]Pacific Coast LeagueTriple-AN/A
Hawaii Islanders[15]Pacific Coast LeagueTriple-AN/A
Inland Empire 66ers[16]California LeagueSingle-ASan Manuel Stadium
Lynchburg Hillcats[17]Carolina LeagueSingle-AN/A

Hockey

Current

TeamLeagueLevel
Idaho Falls Spud Kings[18]United States Premier Hockey LeagueTier II junior ice hockey

Former

TeamLeagueLevelWhen Owned
Fort Worth Fire[19]Central Hockey LeagueMid-level minor professional hockey league1998-1999
Richmond Renegades[20]ECHLTier 3 professional hockey league1994-2025
San Antonio IguanasCentral Hockey LeagueMid-level minor professional hockey league1998-2002
Utah Grizzlies[21](founded as Denver Grizzlies) (originally owned as Tallahassee Tiger Sharks)ECHLTier 3 professional hockey league1994-2025
Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005)American Hockey League (previously International Hockey League)1995-2006

Soccer

Former

TeamLeagueLevel
Lane United FC (through Redside Sports LLC)USL League TwoFourth Tier
SoCal SCNPSLFourth Tier
Tallahassee ScorpionsEISLIndoor
Utah Freezz[22][23]World Indoor Soccer LeagueIndoor

Arena football

Former

TeamLeagueLevel
Tallahassee ThunderAF2Arena 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 2023-06-15 at the Wayback Machine. 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.