Ripken partners with Attain Sports as owners of Aberdeen IronBirds

The High-A Aberdeen IronBirds will operate under different ownership in 2025.

Cal Ripken Jr., 64, has sold his controlling interest in the Orioles affiliate. However, the Hall of Famer and his brother Bill, a former Major League infielder and current MLB Network analyst, remain part of the ownership group.

Attain Sports, led by minor league baseball operator and business executive Greg Baroni, is partnering with the Ripkens by purchasing a majority stake in IB Professional Holdings. The company also owns the Double-A Bowie Baysox and the MLB Draft League Frederick Keys.

The terms of the contract were not disclosed. Attain Sports sent out a press release.

“Bill and I are proud of what we have been able to offer our hometown,” Ripken said in a statement. “Since 2002, we have been able to provide wonderful experiences for baseball fans of all ages through the IronBirds and our Ripken Experience Aberdeen youth baseball complex. At this stage in my life, I felt it was right to hand over the day-to-day management of the IronBirds to Greg. I am delighted that we can work with such respected operators as Greg and Attain Sports.”

The release included a statement from Baroni, whose group also includes Loudoun United FC and the Spire City Ghost Hounds of the Atlantic League Professional Baseball.

“Today is an exciting day for me personally and for our entire organization,” he said. “The opportunity to grow Attain Sports by adding a great team like the IronBirds and partnering with Cal and Bill Ripken is very significant. We look forward to continuing to offer baseball as affordable family entertainment, with a commitment to community engagement, exceptional customer service and innovative experiences here in Aberdeen.”

Ripken played his final game with the Orioles in 2001 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He bought the Utica Blue Sox, moved them to Aberdeen and renamed them the IronBirds.

The team continues to play at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.

The Orioles are under new ownership, with private equity billionaire David Rubenstein purchasing the club in March and serving as controller. Ripken is part of his group and a frequent visitor to Camden Yards in his front row seat behind home plate.