Wilmington Sharks Baseball

What Wilmington Sharks Baseball does

Wilmington Sharks Baseball is a privately held collegiate summer baseball franchise operating as Damax Surf, LLC, founded in 1997 as a charter member of the Coastal Plain League (CPL). The team plays a ~30-game home schedule each May–August at Buck Hardee Field, a 1,200-capacity stadium at 2149 Carolina Beach Rd., Wilmington, NC, serving family, corporate, school, and nonprofit audiences in the Cape Fear region. Rostered players are college-age (18–22), with housing provided by local host families; the franchise has produced recognized MLB alumni including Alec Bohm.

The franchise generates revenue through a layered ticket structure (single-game tickets at $12–$13, season ticket packages from $55 to $372, group discounts, picnic and BBQ catering packages, VIP corporate boxes, and fundraiser tickets resold at $6 each), supplemented by 30+ corporate sponsorships, restaurant meal partnerships, on-site and online merchandise sales (Shark Shack), and community programming (Sharky's Kids Club, Read Around the Bases, Dream Team, Play Ball Kid, Kids' Clinic). Distribution runs through an online ticketing platform (glitnirticketing.com), the on-site box office, phone/email inside sales, and direct outreach by the Team President for corporate partnerships.

The organization is founder/owner-operated under Thad Parsons (who joined as owner ahead of the 2025 season) and led by Team President David Woodard (joining 2026, with prior MiLB ticket-sales experience). The 18-person team includes five coaches, five front-office staff, and 15 summer interns. There is no proprietary technology; the franchise is a live-entertainment and community-engagement business built around a 27-year-old brand and a 2024 CPL Championship.

Name

Wilmington Sharks Baseball

Legal name

Damax Surf, LLC

Website

https://wilmingtonsharks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Wilmington Sharks Baseball is a privately held collegiate summer baseball franchise founded in 1997, playing a May–August home schedule at Buck Hardee Field in Wilmington, NC, and generating revenue from ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, merchandise, and community programs for families, schools, and local businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Collegiate Summer Baseball Entertainment

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Summer collegiate baseball
• Minor league baseball tickets
• Baseball merchandise sales
• Corporate sports sponsorships
• Youth baseball programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single game tickets, season ticket packages (Box Seat, Reserved Seat, 20-Game Plan, 10-Game Plan, 5-Game Plans), and group tickets with discounts.
2. Season Ticket Packages: Premium ticket packages including entree and soft drink per game, merchandise discounts, playoff access, and Season Ticket Holder Experience Package.
3. Picnic/Food Packages: All-you-can-eat catering packages for groups including Double Play ($30/person), Grand Slam ($35/person), and BBQ by Piggly Wiggly ($32/person) with game tickets included.
4. Fundraiser Tickets: Organizations purchase minimum 50 tickets at $6 each and sell at their own pricing, keeping proceeds. Additional 50/50 raffle opportunities.
5. Corporate Boxes: VIP corporate boxes with 6 tickets and wait service for select businesses or families. EXTREMELY limited availability.
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership packages with corporate partners including marketing benefits, branding, and promotional opportunities.
7. Meal Partnerships: Restaurant partnerships providing food/beverage services in exchange for marketing benefits.
8. Merchandise Sales: Shark Shack retail store at stadium and online at shop.wilmingtonsharks.com selling apparel, headwear, and novelties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Wilmington Sharks operate a Coastal Plain League collegiate summer baseball franchise, hosting ticketed home games at Legion Stadium in Wilmington, NC. They sell game tickets (single-game, season, group, and corporate box), branded merchandise, and secure corporate sponsorships, while running community outreach such as youth baseball clinics, school-day games, and themed promotional nights. The product is live sports entertainment aimed at local families, youth players, and regional corporate partners.

Product overview

Wilmington Sharks Baseball is a collegiate summer league baseball team offering a portfolio of ticket products and community programs centered around live baseball entertainment at Buck Hardee Field. The core product lineup includes single game tickets and multiple ticket package tiers (Box Seat Season Tickets, Reserved Seat Season Tickets, 20-Game Plan, 10-Game Plan, 5-Game Plans), supplemented by group experiences, picnic catering packages, fundraiser ticket programs, and premium corporate box seating. The organization also operates community-focused programs including Sharky's Kids Club, Read Around The Bases, Play Ball Kid, and Kids' Clinic, alongside retail merchandise sales through the Shark Shack. The offerings form a unified entertainment experience combining baseball games with family-friendly community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single-Game Tickets Walk-up and online tickets for entry to individual Wilmington Sharks home games, available to local fans and visitors in the Wilmington, NC area.
• Season Tickets Full-season admission package granting reserved or general access to all Wilmington Sharks home games during the Coastal Plain League season, sold to dedicated local fans.
• Group Outings and Corporate Boxes Group ticket packages and corporate box rentals for businesses, schools, parties, and large gatherings attending Sharks games together at Legion Stadium.
• Team Merchandise Wilmington Sharks branded apparel, caps, and souvenirs sold at the on-site team store for fans attending games.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Multi-tier sponsorship packages sold to regional businesses providing brand placement, signage, hospitality benefits, and promotional association with the Wilmington Sharks.
• Community and Youth Baseball Programs Youth baseball clinics, school-day games, and themed community events delivered by the Wilmington Sharks for local schools, little leagues, and families in the Cape Fear region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 consecutive postseason appearances (2023-2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

53 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Marriott WilmingtonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership for visitor accommodations.
• Oden BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal craft brewery partnership for beer offerings.
• Wilmington GrillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor grill equipment partnership.
• Excite Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit union partnership with marketing benefits and brand visibility at Buck Hardee Field.
• GE AerospaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership providing marketing exposure and community engagement.
• Emerge OrthominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrthopedic practice partnership with sports medicine focus, aligned with team doctor relationship.
• Novant HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare system partnership providing community health visibility.
• Home Team SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports media partner for game streaming and content distribution.
• Adams BeveragesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage distribution partnership for stadium refreshments.
• Jeremiah's Italian IceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrozen dessert partner for stadium concessions.
• Milam PlumbingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlumbing services partnership for stadium facilities.
• On Target StaffingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStaffing partner for game day employees and seasonal hiring (linked to employment page).
• PepsiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partnership for soft drinks and refreshments at stadium.
• Port City PestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPest control services partnership for stadium maintenance.
• O2 Fitness ClubsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitness center partnership for community wellness engagement.
• Shuckin ShackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal seafood restaurant partnership for stadium food offerings.
• WWAY TV3minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal television station partnership for media coverage and visibility.
• 360 Painting of Coastal CarolinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPainting services partnership for stadium facilities maintenance.
• ABC SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuilding materials supplier partnership.
• AvanceCareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare services partnership for community wellness.
• Slack on SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports marketing agency partnership.
• Play It Again SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports equipment retailer partnership.
• Modern RockminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia/entertainment partnership.
• Battleship NCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric Battleship North Carolina museum partnership for cross-promotional marketing.
• Sunny (Radio Station)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station partnership for broadcast promotion.
• Z107 (Radio Station)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station partnership for audience reach.
• NC Aquarium at Fort FisherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAquarium partnership for family-oriented community engagement.
• Markraft CabinetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCabinetry supplier partnership.
• Crofton's PretzelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPretzel vendor partnership for stadium concessions.
• Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) Boat BuildingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational institution partnership for workforce development.
• Wilson CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment venue partnership for cross-promotion.
• Tides TaproomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal taproom partnership for craft beverage offerings.
• Paul Vision InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEye care services partnership.
• Wake 'n Bake DonutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal donut shop partnership for concessions.
• Chick-fil-AminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFast food restaurant partnership for stadium concessions.
• Carrabba's Italian GrillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian restaurant meal partner for player meals and stadium catering.
• Chili'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant meal partner for food services.
• Piggly WigglyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery partner providing BBQ catering for picnic packages and player food.
• Local's TavernminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant meal partner.
• Texas RoadhouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant meal partner for player meals.
• Vicious BiscuitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal breakfast/brunch restaurant meal partner.
• Black's Tire and AutominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive services partnership.
• Jimmy John'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFast casual sandwich restaurant meal partner.
• Rucker JohnsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant meal partner in Wilmington.
• Pitt ElectricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectrical services partner for stadium facilities.
• National CoatingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoating services partnership for facilities maintenance.
• Wilmington Contractors AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction industry partnership for facilities support.
• Bush Family DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental services partnership.
• Junction 421minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partnership.
• LifepointminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare services partnership.
• Coastal Tides FastpitchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDirector of Operations Ian McLeod co-owns this competitive travel softball organization.
• Coastal Plain LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeague membership since 1997 founding. 15-team collegiate summer baseball league across GA, NC, SC, VA. Professional minor league-like atmosphere with 48-game schedule, Pro Scout Day, All-Star Game, and championship playoffs.
• Foundations Early Learning CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Sharky's Kids Club program for children 12 and under.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peninsula Pilots: Another CPL founding-era team in Hampton Roads, VA. Direct operating peer—same league, same collegiate summer model, similar community-driven sponsorship and ticket package structures. Most apples-to-apples comparison for cost structure and revenue per game.
• High Point-Thomasville HiToms: Long-standing CPL team in North Carolina. Same league, same 48-game summer collegiate format, similar small-market sponsorship and ticket-driven revenue model. Comparable on attendance, community programming, and on-field positioning.
• Lexington County Blowfish: South Carolina CPL team with similar stadium size and community-engagement focus. Directly comparable in ticket pricing tiers, group experiences, and regional sponsorship mix.
• Macon Bacon: Georgia CPL team that has built a strong brand identity around creative marketing and community engagement. Comparable on social media-driven fan acquisition, themed nights, and merchandise revenue from a small stadium.
• Morehead City Marlins: Coastal North Carolina CPL team in a smaller coastal market. Most comparable geographic and demographic profile to Wilmington—same coastal tourism dynamic, similar host family pipeline, comparable ticket/sponsorship economics.
• Tri-City Chili Peppers: CPL team in Virginia where VP Jack May previously worked. Direct peer in the same league with similar branding, ticketing tiers, and college player recruitment model.
• Holly Springs Salamanders: North Carolina CPL team serving the greater Raleigh market. Comparable in family-friendly community programming, season ticket packaging, and corporate sponsorship diversification.

Broad incumbents

• Cape Cod League Teams (e.g., Falmouth Commodores): The Cape Cod League is the most prestigious collegiate summer baseball league. Same business model (collegiate summer team, ticket sales, sponsorships, host families) but at a higher national profile tier and longer season. Useful benchmark for upper-bound revenue and brand economics.
• Northwoods League Teams (e.g., La Crosse Loggers): The Northwoods League is the largest collegiate summer league. Comparable business model but with longer seasons, larger stadiums, and more developed media/streaming revenue. Useful benchmark for what scaling a summer collegiate franchise can look like.

Others

• Boiling Springs Lake (as represented within CPL network): Connected through Director of Operations Ian McLeod's prior parks and recreation background, but not a direct ticket-revenue competitor. Included as an ecosystem/operator relationship rather than a market peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ilmsharks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wilmingtonsharks3605
• Facebookfacebook.com/wilmingtonsharks
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilmsharks/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wilmington Sharks Baseball