I’m sure you have heard the rumors. Magic City will be moving to Miami Casino Jai-alai. The 99-year-old building and “birthplace” of jai-alai in the United States is one of the top locations to continue the World Jai-alai League as their lease runs out at the Magic City Casino this year. However, as of now, it is just a rumor, and nothing has been formally announced.
Since my last story on this matter, I’ve had a lot of people ask me how this glass only back wall format would work. I had reported that this glass back wall concept was one of the plans being kicked around if their new headquarters would go to one of the two existing jai-alai cancha’s – in Dania and Miami.
The existing front and side walls would be used with a newly constructed all glass back wall getting installed along the10 line. This unique concept would bring back a truer jai-alai format that had existed before. Of course, the pelota, now two layers of goat skin would have to be formulated to adjust to a shorter court. The front walls are about 18” thick of granite. The back wall, being glass, would likely withstand any cracking since there is not a direct throw coming at it.
The length of the court would be close to the existing court at Magic City with this glass addition. A great feature of the glass back wall maintains the fantastic view that everybody can enjoy. Of course, Arra, Stu, and Andrew won’t lose the seats Bob Uecker would crave. Anything that can bring back that distinct sound of the pelota hitting the front wall would be an additional bonus. The camera angles from the back of the court would remain too.
The width of the court being proposed would be to keep it the same as it is now – about 45 feet – for a few reasons. This would create more kill shots, which management realizes needs to happen to speed the game up. Some of the top A players can play catch for several minutes at a time before a kill shot even develops. This would give players a wide area to retrieve a carom instead of running into a net that they are not allowed to touch and resume play. Another reason is to go back to the sound of the ball hitting the wood as it goes out of bounds. Currently the judges make the difficult call with no sound to go by. Instant replay has been used a few times on questionable calls.
The height of the wall would likely be cut down somewhat. Not sure how much it would be lowered, but if the width is to remain the same as it was with goat skin jai-alai, it would be unproportional. Generally, the height and width of the walls are about the same, with the length about 4 times that. Talk of adding a new overhead screen that is lower than the existing would to compensate the shorter dimensions.
To me, there is a lot of work to do, but certainly the most cost economical one vs building an entire new place that would take a year or two to complete with permitting, etc. An entire new name and marketing plan would have to be implemented too.
How long would this take? I’m not a contractor but I would assume at least 6 months. That would put them on a time frame to keep on schedule for 2026. The players all receive a salary year-round, so any delay hurts not only them from not receiving bonus money but ownership too from not being open at all.
Again, this is all part of the planning that goes on when making a difficult and important decisions as to where your future is heading. Nothing has been finalized till officially announced by Magic City Jai-alai.
June 14, 2025: St. Petersburg: The big Fundraiser Event to benefit the League of Nations International Tournament that was just held at Puryear Park in St. Petersburg was a big blast for all those involved.
The event was broadcast on YouTube live and can be viewed on Tampa Jai-alai. A full sound system with the Jack Patterson Talking Scoreboard was up and running and featured a large monitor for players to check the scores and rotation.
Playing before a crowd of 56 people on a hot Saturday at America’s first and only public court, some great action was witnessed during the 3 hour and 25-minute affair.
With a unique mix of 4 current pros from the Magic City roster, 7 ex-pros and 12 amateurs, 16 action packed, predetermined games were played in a Spectacular 9 fashioned where points doubled in the second round. Note- Cabrera, a current player on the Magic City roster is named El Nino in the scorebooks. The catching machine did not have his cesta with him as he was a late sub for some players that were dropping out from the heat.
The event started with a very special guest to throw out the first pelota – Candice – the mother of Douglas and Benny – promptly at 10:30am. She nailed the front wall on her second attempt – to the applause to an anxiously watching crowd in attendance. Obviously, there is some good blood in the family.
The highlight of the event was the Family Doubles Event in game 9 to 7 straight points. It featured the all-brother team of Douglas and Beny in Post 1, Kyle Kubala and his father Paul (aka Castanos) in Post 2 and Chris Bueno playing his father Benny B. Douglas and Benny took the match 7-2-2. It was likely the first time that something like this had ever happened before where sons and fathers got together to player a championship team of brothers. Paul Kubala, who was instrumental in getting the Puryear Park built nearly 18 years ago, and his son (at the age of 12) can be seen in original photos of Puryear Park in the program page 6 -that was handled out to all in attendance.
Among those in attendance was Elorri, the Orlando Jai-alai Ambassador who got his photo taken with the Langham brothers and has requested photos of it for his personal collections. Also in attendance was George Quinn, the Jai-alai Instagram Ambassador.
Here are the win leaders but note this was not a tournament but just an exhibition for a great cause – raising funds to support the team of Douglas and Benny Langhans in Gernika, Spain.
Win Leaders:
Benny L 4 —– Rastock 4
Belota 3 —– Rule 3
Anthony 2 — Cachin 2 — Douglas 2 — Kyle 2 — RG3 2
Adam 1 — Alex 1 — Benny B 1 — Chip 1 — El Nino 1 — Mike 1 — Scott K 1 — Ty 1
St. Petersburg, FL: May 20, 2025: The National Jai-alai Association (NJAA) has announced that they will be hosting a huge fundraiser event on Saturday, June 14th .
The event will help cover the expenses Benny Bueno will incur of sending four players to participate in the “League of Nations International Tournament” that is being held in Gernika, Spain.
The initial donation of $6,000 was graciously made by the owners of Dania Jai-alai, but additional funds are needed. The NJAA has stepped up to help out and will host a huge benefit performance with dozens and dozens of expected participants including several Magic City players.
Two of players going to Spain are confirmed to participate in the Puryear Park event – brothers Douglas and Benny Langhans. The other team participating to play in the International Tournament are brothers Johan and Gorka Sorozabel.
Details on how the games at Puryear Park will be structured will be determined this Saturday in a meeting. Details will be released as soon as a format is determined.
Players are urged to sign up by confirming with Anthohny Sutton, Scott King or myself. An official deadline to sign up has not been determined, but in order to have programs designed and printed; the electronic talking scoreboard program, we will need a few days before the 14th. Official details will be released via the texting, this website, Tigers website, George Quinns Instagram site and more.
A flyer was sent out to 100 players and fans of the sport. A donation of $20 is required to participate. You can donate more if want and the public is welcome to donate if they like.
The usual “Dog and Pony Show” will be set up – this time with free programs to all – and a full sound/PA system along with the return of Magic Mikes talking scoreboard. Yes, you will feel like Jack Patterson is here live announcing!
Busters Courtside Grill went out of business, so if someone wants to step up and cook food out there on a grill, they are welcome.
The event will start promptly at 10:30am with an ending time anticipated for 3:30pm.
Of course, Coach Benny B. will be there (likely to wear a zebra outfit!) along with his son Chris.
We look forward to seeing everyone. This could be our biggest event since our Opening Day over 17 years ago which drew hundreds of people.
Plus, it’s for a good cause!
Here is complete program… Computers should show the whole file. Cell phones may have to click fundraiser-booklet
Over the past year a lot of people have been asking me about the future of Magic City Jai-alai. So, I’ve been talking to people “in the business” of what they have been hearing. I wanted to share my thoughts.
As you know, Magic City was sold a little over two years ago and this is their last year they are operating out of the upstairs location in the Magic City Casino building, in what was a music venue for concerts, and named after a highway nearby.
The new parimutuel (and final season in that location) starts September 16 and runs till November 25th. The parimutuel season will only be held on Tuesday and Thursdays during that period, and this WILL BE the final season for parimutuel wagering. They will be focusing totally on “Ari’s” Sports Betting” concept which has been very successful so far. The Pelota Press does not have the dates for the sports betting dates currently.
So, with parimutuel wagering no longer an option, they will need to find a new location for the 2026 season. As of now, Scott Savin has been tight lipped on what the plans are. But we have heard various reports on what their options are, including those that Savin has already publicly mentioned.
Let’s explore what their options are and the odds of this happening (we love to bet, don’t we!):
Construct their own building
Assuming Magic City’s previous owners are still involved with Scott Savin, building a place from scratch nearby would seem the obvious choice. Their goal is to save the sport of jai-alai and are prepared to keep going with Phase II here and an all-fixed odds Partido betting style concept.
Word is this is too expensive of an option and would likely be a last case scenario. I know the Calder “Fronton” that was built a few years ago cost a ton of money, and I am sure anything built today would be double that. I’m not a contractor, but I’m guess we’re talking $20 million and up. That doesn’t include the price of land, and Miami land isn’t cheap. Several acres would be required for parking in addition to the building itself. While I understand the Havenick’s own a lot of property around the Magic City Casino that covers 31 acres on 37th Avenue – none appear to be able to match the criteria.
Adding the numbers up, this option does not sound sustainable.
Odds of this happening? – 10%
Miami Jai-alai
The oldest fronton in America and in the city that is “Home” to Jai-alai in the USA has been brought up multiple times as a strong option. Located a few Aaron Judge homeruns away near the Miami Airport, the legendary landmark building is still alive and going strong – but as a casino. The fronton is still there – in the same condition has it has been since the 1990s. Security is tight, but you can see the fronton on your left as you walk into the entrance. It was supposed to have been turned into a Cirque Du Soleil, but those plans fell apart when COVID hit.
The idea was to build the glass court right inside of the existing 176-foot long (just guessing) cancha. Sounds like the ideal situation, doesn’t it? The glass court is staying, folks. That is not going to change.
Word is Miami is not interested. They have distanced themselves from jai-alai apparently and no one seems to know what is going to happen to the fronton section of, which has held Don King boxing events over the past few years. They have made some decent improvement to their casino on the other side and I was impressed with when I last visited.
And would ownership allow a former “competitor” to move into their establishment? There have been cross relationships with management in both groups – including one who made the actual purchase of the glass court now sitting in Magic City.
I still think this is the best option. But I have a feeling the owner of the casino, who lives in Vegas and is well known and a close friend of the President, might not be agreeable – if he has any say in the matter. He is 90 years old but still sharp as a whip. Just my thoughts and not a fact. Jai-alai needs to stay in Miami. Get it done either here or the next location to be mentioned.
Odd of this happening? – 15%
Dania Jai-alai
This idea has been discussed over the past 4-5 months. This is another option at the top of the list. Basically, it keeps Magic City Jai-alai in the area. Even closer to many players who travel from the north of Dania to get to Miami’s Magic City. As you now know, Dania will be the last fronton using parimutuel wagering. They have been running a two- or three-month tournament style version of jai-alai at the “Palace” the past couple of seasons and are the last ones with a full court, granite wall, pelota version in the United States.
Savin has made in clear that the glass court is here to stay, but we hear that they would consider having only a glass back wall while using the existing side and front walls. Any construction of a court of this magnitude would likely shut down the current form of jai-alai at Dania, unless the glass back wall could be removed seasonally.
I doubt a glass back wall would take a goat skin pelota’s impact, but I don’t know for sure. But this concept to me sounds good. The clear glass gives those awesome camera views, and watching the trio of Stu, Arra and Andrew sitting back there has been pretty cool, even though they have darkened it the past couple of years or so.
No one knows where the discussions stand on this matter that was likely discussed between the owners and Savin. But time is running out that this would be a feasible and timely solution. But that might mean the end of Dania’s 3-month tournament and goat skin full court jai-alai if the clear back wall can’t be moved.
Odds of this happening -30%
Ocala Jai-alai
This is the latest “rumor” we are hearing. Ocala night be an option if all else fails. The building still stands there unused as the poker room relocated a couple year ago. They would convert it to a small court with the glass back wall idea being kicked around at Dania jai-alai.
Several players have told me Ocala was one of the great frontons to play at, but that place shut down several years ago as far as jai-alai goes. Ocala was the initiators of the 2-man scam to keep their license going, but this would have nothing to do with jai-alai coming back.
The fronton is located in the middle of a farm and cattle land, about 2 – 2 ½ hours north of Tampa. Players would have to relocate there. In the past, many players stayed at a hotel George Steinbrenner owned. The longtime Tampa resident and owner of the Yankees was a big jai-alai fan and would be spotted at the frontons on occasion. He was big into horse raising and racing and even had a horse enter once in the Kentucky Derby. The family owned a big ranch there and loved the area. We hear Scott Savin loves horses too.
This is another doable idea, but the relocation of players might be an issue unless they made a long drive from Miami and back.
Odds of this happening – 15%
Las Vegas
The betting capital of the world has been brought up numerous times, including Savin himself as a possible relocation. Apparently, there are at least one location that has “open arms” to bring jai-alai back to the state. But this time it’s a whole new betting format unlike parimutuel wagering which gamblers find too time consuming and confusing and is the reason why jai-alai failed in both Vegas and Reno back in the 1970s.
Vegas’s popularity has been growing. Over 40 million visitors go there to play, gamble, and watch shows. Hockey is a huge success, football a gold mine with visitors of other teams visiting and baseball supposedly about to welcome the “Sacramento” Oakland A’s when the stadium is built.
Could this work? Yep. Word is the players would NOT have to relocate but would fly out there every week and stay in rooms in Las Vegas.
This is a very interesting concept and might be the solution if all the above options fail.
Odds of this happening – 20%
Rhode Island
Another strange option that has been brought up by Savin himself.
Yes, Jai-alai was there for several years, but the casino and nearby casinos in Connecticut killed it.
Apparently, someone there has “open arms” to welcome the Jai-alai League to relocate. We really don’t know much outside of that.
Could this happen? Sure, But likely a last resort if all the above fails. That still could happen.
Odds of this happening – 10%
Conclusion
Everything I have reported is just my conclusions from talking to a lot of people and what Scott Savin has previously said. I have not discussed this matter with Savin or any of the owners of the establishments themselves.
No one knows the plans as of now. But time is running out. Savin probably has no idea at this point what they are going to do. But he’s a sharp businessman with a “Steve Jobs”- like mentality. He’s the guy to make it happen and succeed.
Not only do they have to move to a new location, they must build a whole new cancha. The one at Magic City Miami cannot be transported and reset up again. And he has to come up with an entire new identity. The name Magic City Jai-alai will expire by the end of November.
It was like the good old days. Last Sunday at Puryear Park we had a nice group play and some visitors to watch.
Making his first appearance at the St. Pete Cancha was Perry Brown, a great aficionado of jai-alai that many of you know up north and has done some great announcing at Matt’s tournaments over the years. Joining him was Mark K making a rare appearance in his hometown. He’s the famed owner of the world’s largest collection of programs, currently up for sell.
Also at the court was the Orlando Man himself, the Great Elorri. The former player who played in every game the first year Orlando Jai-alai opened and last player manager till the fronton was shut down and turned into a church. He has made a few visits over the past 3 years and is always a treat to hear him and the great stories he has to share.
Renegades seize their third championship title at 2025 Winter Season Finals
MIAMI, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Renegades cemented their place in the World Jai-Alai League record books Friday night, claiming their third championship title with a hard-fought win over the upstart Fireballs at the Magic City Fronton. Owned by three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslem, the Renegades are now the only team to capture three titles since the league’s Battle Court format started in 2022. The Renegades’ powerhouse team (known by their courtside names) includes team captain Goixerri, Urbieta, Goenaga, Ben, Stan and Flores.
Renegades team wins Battle Court Jai-Alai Winter 2025 season title
The night also spotlighted the league’s community outreach programming. A check presentation at center court capped off the event, with the Renegades earning a $40,000 donation for their charity partner, the UD Foundation. The Fireballs’ selected nonprofit, the SLAM Foundation, received $10,000, part of the World Jai-Alai League’s ongoing initiative to support local organizations. Since 2022, the league has contributed more than $350,000 to South Florida-based charities.
“This was a championship worthy of the world’s fastest ball sport,” said Scott Savin, chief operating officer of the World Jai-Alai League. “The Renegades showed why they’re in a class of their own—relentless, fearless, and thrilling to watch. And full credit to the Fireballs for proving they’re a team to watch in the seasons ahead.”
The championship win was a worthy conclusion for one of the league’s veteran athletes, Urbieta, who is retiring after this season. With the win, the Renegades solidify their legacy as the league’s most successful team since the Battle Court format was introduced in 2022. The 14-week season delivered on its promise of intense matchups, elite talent, and community connection—all packaged for modern audiences.
The Battle Court format continues to modernize jai-alai for today’s fans with team-based play, ownership by high-profile figures, and broad accessibility. Matches are streamed on ESPN3 and are available for legal wagering in Florida via the Hard Rock Bet app, as well as nationally through DraftKings, FanDuel and ESPN Bet.
As jai-alai celebrates more than 100 years of play in South Florida, the World Jai-Alai League continues to lead its evolution—fast, fierce, and more accessible than ever. The Fall Battle Court season kicks off Sept. 2025.
About World Jai-Alai League The World Jai-Alai League (WJAL) is dedicated to revitalizing the world’s fastest ball sport by modernizing gameplay, capitalizing on the international sports wagering market, and delivering the sport through social media to a new generation of fans across the globe. The WJAL plays at the Magic City Fronton in Miami, located at 450 N.W. 37th Ave.
SOURCE World Jai-Alai League / Official Press Release
May 12, 2025: Last April 1st, I posted news on Tigers jai-alai site about that the Puryear Park Jai-alai court was getting shut down by the City of St. Petersburg, so they could build some more much needed parking spots. Tiger himself was fooled along with several members that play on our court. Some were practically crying. But then a couple of people caught on – one on Tigers site and one in the text group, reminding people that it was April Fools Day. I purposely waited until the late evening to post it, hoping people would forget that date and the fact that my posting had mentioned a city council meeting vote that was taken that evening.
The story was a total bluff, but I did confirm that the city had thought about tearing the court down multiple times in the past. Tom “Corky” DeMint (who worked with Paul Kubala in getting the court approved by the city) had told me people were lobbying to get more parking for the overcrowded park and wanted to jai-alai and racquetball courts demolished to make room for it.
The huge park features two lighted soccer fields, 3 lighted multipurpose fields , 6 lighted tennis courts, several racquetball courts, a multipurpose training facility, restrooms, a concession stand, covered bleachers, a playground and of course the jai-alai cancha. Parking can be a bitch as anyone who has showed up there on Saturday’s or during any soccer tournament where hundreds of people show up.
Well, the problem has been solved. The house directly adjacent behind the cancha has been bought out by the city. The owners had turned down offers in the past to sell, but now with devalued properties from the hurricanes in the area last Fall that resulted in massive flooding, they accepted an offer that was much lower than before. Properties that were flooded lost considerable value and that included most of the houses in the area. In fact, any house that sustained more than 50% of its value. must raise it a full story high, or tear down and rebuild completely – one story above the ground – while making the ground level a parking garage.
After all the proper zoning and land testing is completed, the house will be torn down and the lot will become a parking lot for an undetermined number of cars, easing the parking issues that have plagued the park for the past two decades.
Oh, Tiger, I’m still waiting for my disciplinary action! You can issue it to me while I’m participating in the Magic City Tournament this September – if they approve a 70-year-old to play in it.
In last nights “Chopped Liver League” performance at Puryear Park in St. Petersburg, one of our players noticed the formation of a “Smiley Face” on the Matt Ball being used.
Seminole King was about to serve the ball just before game 5 of the Tuesday evening group when he noticed a face-like appearance on the pelota.
Sure enough, the white electrical tape that is wrapped around the ball for aerodynamic purposes, had come off in exact areas forming a “smiley face-like” look. The balls usually need recovering after about 5-6 games of outside playing. The white tape around the ball also allows the ball to be more visible coming off the green walls of the cancha. Matt’s court and Puryear Park are the only two cancha’s that use that ball.
The ball has been used at the St. Pete cancha for the past 13 years and the entire 15 years at Matt’s in Berlin, Connecticut. Various formulations of the ball have been used, some lighter and some heavier than others. Density of the balls is another factor in the various types that have been used. Right now, Puryear Park uses a sample of new 151-gram ball, by far the faster ball ever produced in the 10 revisions or so that have been made over the years. Usually. several hundred balls are made per batch.
Matt himself won’t use this ball at his court because it is too fast. The smaller Puryear Park does not have the smooth walls and flooring that Matt has due to the nature of the St. Pete court being outdoors.
There is a new YouTube video up on the History of the Tampa Jai-alai Fronton. The 10 ½ minute video was produced by “Rex” of the Hilsborean, Historian.
Lots of interesting newspaper articles and ticket stubs of various artists who performed there from The Bee Gees to Bruce Springfield. I remember going there in October 1974 to watch a closed-circuit theater TV broadcast of the Ali-Frazier fight aka The Rumble in the Jungle. They didn’t even take down the screen if I recall correctly.
Special thanks to Alan Antinori for sharing this with us.
