Bristol TN Council approves operating agreement with Boyd Sports/State Liners

The Bristol, Tennessee City Council on Tuesday approved an updated operating agreement with Boyd Sports and the city school system on Tod Houston Field, the future home of the Bristol State Liners baseball team. City officials say that since approving an initial agreement last year, further talks have created new revenue sources for the city. Boyd Sports, which owns the State Liners, originally agreed to lease the stadium for 15 years and pay the city $15,000 per year. Under the new agreement, Boyd Sports will instead pay $25,000 each year. Boyd Sports will put $2 million toward the construction of a new stadium at the site. Bristol, Tennessee City Schools will contribute $1.5 million toward the project. The field will be used by the city, school system, and Boyd Sports. It will continue to be the home of Tennessee High School’s baseball team and will be used by the city for special events. The Appalachian League season begins June 5th.