The Adelaide Football Club is in discussions with interested parties regarding the sale of its baseball franchise.

The Club has formally notified Baseball Australia of its intention to finalise an ownership transfer of the Adelaide Giants, which compete in the Australian Baseball League.

Crows CEO Tim Silvers said the decision marked a shift in the Club’s strategic direction in the wake of the global pandemic.

“A great deal has changed since the Club acquired the baseball licence and like all professional sporting clubs, we have been heavily impacted by the global pandemic,” Silvers said.

“This has forced us to take on debt and significantly reduce our staffing levels and we are pushing ahead with an 18-month strategic recovery plan.”  

The Crows took control of the baseball franchise in 2018 when it was known as the Adelaide Bite.

The successful rebrand to the Giants is among a number of achievements, along with the team rising up the standings to be consistently competitive and featuring in a championship series.

Strong ties have also been forged with international professional leagues and teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies of the United States’ Major League Baseball.

“We are currently in discussions with prospective buyers and we want to see the Giants’ potential realised,” Silvers said.

“The team has a strong following and maintains an important place in the South Australian sporting landscape while also having exposure to national and international markets.”

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams acknowledged the impact the Crows had on the Giants, the ABL and more widely baseball in South Australia.

“The Club has made a significant contribution to our sport and league over the past few years, taking the Giants to new levels on and off the field,” Williams said.

“We remain committed to working closely with the Crows to find a new licensee for the Giants who will continue to contribute to growth of the ABL and baseball in South Australia.”