Lookouts ‘not going anywhere,’ owner says

Staff photo by Doug Strickland /
Chattanooga Lookouts co-owner Jason Freier speaks during a news conference announcing the renewed partnership between the Lookouts and the Cincinnati Reds held at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Lookouts where previously affiliated with the Reds for 21 seasons between 1988 and 2008. — Staff photo by Doug Strickland / Chattanooga Lookouts co-owner Jason Freier speaks during a news conference announcing the renewed partnership between the Lookouts and the Cincinnati Reds held at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Lookouts where previously affiliated with the Reds for 21 seasons between 1988 and 2008. Staff photo by Doug Strickland / Chattanooga Lookouts co-owner Jason Freier speaks during a news conference announcing the renewed partnership between the Lookouts and the Cincinnati Reds held at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Lookouts where previously affiliated with the Reds for 21 seasons between 1988 and 2008.

By Mike Pare September 25, 2018 4 min read

Photo Gallery

Lookouts

Staff photo by Robin Rudd Jason Freier, chairman and chief executive officer of Hardball Capital, spoke to the editors of the Times Free Press at the newspaper's office on September 25, 2018. Hardball Capital is an owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts and other minor league teams.

Jason Freier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hardball Capital spoke to the editors of the Times Free Press at the newspaper's office on September 25, 2018. Hardball Capital is the owners of the Chattanooga Lookouts and several other minor league teams.

If you're talking about a ballpark project, it's way too premature.

A top Chattanooga Lookouts’ official said Tuesday there’s no interest in leaving the city and that the team is following efforts by owners of a South Broad foundry site to find a master developer.

Jason Freier, the Lookouts’ operating partner, said that to have substantive discussions on a possible new minor league baseball stadium, bringing on such a developer for the 141-acre foundry tract is critical.

“We’ll be glad to have that discussion and see if we fit in once they have a master developer,” said Freier in remarks to the Times Free Press editorial board.