The Trenton Thunder baseball team is being sold to a national ownership group.
Managing partners and shareholders of the team announced they have agreed to sell the club to Diamond Baseball Holdings, which owns and operates professional baseball teams across North America.
The Thunder will continue to compete in the MLB Draft League, a six-team circuit featuring a split-season amateur-professional format, and will remain guided by their existing front office staff, led by President Jeff Hurley and General Manager Jon Bodnar.
Founded in 1994, the franchise has been a central part of Mercer County’s sports and entertainment landscape for more than three decades, combining a strong on-field history with one of the most consistent fan followings in the region.
The club previously served as a Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, capturing four Eastern League championships during that span.
Since joining the Draft League in 2021, the Thunder have remained a cornerstone of both the Mercer County community and the broader New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania regions, highlighted by winning the league’s inaugural championship and leading the league in attendance every season since its inception.
The team plays at Trenton Thunder Ballpark along the Delaware River, with Mercer County confirming that Samuel J. Plumeri Sr. Field will retain its name in perpetuity, recognizing the legacy of bringing baseball back to Trenton.
The ballpark has undergone a multi-million-dollar transformation in recent years aimed at enhancing both the player and fan experience, including the addition of the Victory Lounge, which offers suite- and lounge-level guests an upgraded in-game experience with an exclusive menu, in-seat wait service and a full-service bar.
Diamond Baseball Holdings, founded in 2021 by the entertainment company Endeavor Group Holdings and now owned by private equity firm Silver Lake, has rapidly become the largest owner of Minor League Baseball teams in North America, with more than 40 affiliated clubs across the United States and Canada. The company focuses on strengthening operations, expanding revenue opportunities and enhancing the fan experience while maintaining each team’s local identity.
“We are incredibly proud of what the Thunder organization has meant to this community over the past three decades,” said Joe Plumeri, managing partner of the Thunder.
“From championships on the field to unforgettable nights at Samuel J. Plumeri Sr. Field, this club has always been about bringing people together,” Plumeri said.
“Our vision was always about families and building the community. We believe DBH is the right partner to build on that legacy and ensure the Thunder remain a vibrant part of the Mercer County and the regional sports landscape for years to come,” Plumeri said.
“The Thunder have a tremendous history and a fiercely devoted fan base,” Hurley said.
“Joining DBH brings additional resources and opportunities while allowing us to continue delivering the fun, creative and community-driven experience our fans have come to expect at Trenton Thunder Ballpark,” Hurley said.
“We’re proud to welcome DBH to Mercer County,” said Dan Benson.
“I want to thank the outgoing team ownership of Joe Plumeri, Joe Finley and Joe Caruso, who have done so much to make Trenton Thunder a pillar of our community,” Benson said.
“For years the team has brought people together from across the county and our region, and this next chapter represents an exciting opportunity to build on that legacy,” Benson said.
“We look forward to working alongside DBH for many years to come to ensure the ballpark remains a vibrant destination for families and fans,” Benson said.
Through its roster of clubs, Diamond Baseball Holdings focuses on strengthening baseball brands through professional management, innovation and investment while supporting each team’s community presence.
“The Thunder are a historic franchise in a terrific market with an incredibly loyal fan base — adding them to the DBH family was simply too good an opportunity to pass up,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund.
“They have tremendous support from the state and county and are a perfect fit for our roster,” they said.
“We’re excited to bring them into the DBH ecosystem and build on the strong foundation already in place at Trenton Thunder Ballpark,” they said.
The transaction is subject to approval by the MLB Draft League and other customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
,
