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Â鶹ֱ²¥ & Lardner LLP advised Fast Forward Sports Group in the sale of two Minor League Baseball franchises, the Akron RubberDucks and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, to Prospector Baseball Group (PBG). Major League Baseball approved the transactions on December 9, 2025.
Under Fast Forward Sports, led by founder and chief executive Ken Babby, both the Akron RubberDucks and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp embraced a philosophy of ‘Affordable Family Fun,’ emphasizing fan experiences and community engagement. Babby — recently announced as CEO of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays — oversaw significant on‑field and commercial growth for both clubs, strengthening ties to their Northeast Ohio and Northeast Florida communities and positioning each franchise for continued success under PBG ownership.
Fast Forward Sports acquired the Akron franchise, the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, in 2012. The franchise adopted the RubberDucks team name in 2014 and has continued a strong partnership with the Cleveland Guardians for over three decades.
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Since acquiring the Jacksonville club in 2015 and rebranding it as the Jumbo Shrimp in 2017, Fast Forward Sports has stewarded substantial organizational growth, culminating in the team’s elevation to Triple-A in 2021 and a Triple-A National Championship in 2025.
The Â鶹ֱ²¥ sports transactions team was led by partners Libby Ridley, Kevin Schulz, and Steven Vazquez and included senior counsel Britton Grimes and associate Lydia Stambaugh.
