Wake County found a new operator for the Zebulon-based Five County Stadium. County Commissioners and town leaders picked a familiar name to run it.
Wake County and the town of Zebulon have found a new operator for Five County Stadium, and county commissioners and town leaders picked a familiar face.
In a special town meeting on Tuesday, Zebulon leaders approved the motion to sublease the property to Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC). The town said CBC would sublease the stadium to a Coastal Plain League team and Wake Technical Community College for certain events.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., a diversified communications company, is also the owner of WRAL, real estate properties in Durham and Rocky Mount, and the Triple-A Durham Bulls and Holly Springs Salamanders of the Coastal Plain League.
According to the proposal at Tuesday’s Wake County Board of Commissioners meeting, CBC has demonstrated experience in owning and operating sports teams, revitalizing community developments, developing strong partnerships with local companies and operating venues adaptable to evolving communities.
Wake County heard the full proposal during Tuesday’s Wake County Board of Commissioners meeting and approved the measure.
The lease is expected to be finalized in October.
Five County Stadium had been home to the Carolina Mudcats since 1991. The Mudcats have played in Single-A since 2022. They played in Low-A in 2021, Class-A-Advanced from 2012-2020 and Double-A from 1991-2011.
Over the weekend, the Mudcats played their final home series at Five County Stadium.
The team owners announced in 2023 that they would move to a new $69 million stadium in Wilson near Whirligig Park. The Wilson Warbirds, the Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, begin play in Spring 2026.
In February, Zebulon and Wake County leaders told WRAL News they were seeking proposals from qualified entities to lease and operate the stadium and its surrounding property after the Mudcats leave.
In June, CBC announced that the company would rezone and develop a 237-unit mixed-use multifamily community located adjacent to Ting Park, home of the Salamanders in Holly Springs.
The company also purchased Rocky Mount Mills in 2007 and the American Tobacco Campus in 2001 to revitalize both into mix-use community facilities, also adjacent to growing cities.
In a statement sent to WRAL News, CBC, alongside Wake Technical Community College, said they are excited about the opportunity to partner with Wake County and the town on the future of the stadium.
“Our shared vision is to ensure the stadium remains a vibrant community asset that supports both sports and education, while creating new opportunities for families, students, and fans to share the kind of memorable experiences Five County Stadium has provided since it first opened in 1991.” – Capitol Broadcasting Company
Five County Stadium is jointly owned by Wake County (85%) and the town of Zebulon (15%) and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2006. The stadium currently has 6,200 fixed seats with a total capacity of 6,500, including nine suites and a restaurant.
CBC is proposing a lease that would allow the company to host and operate local teams at Five County Stadium, assume operating costs for the venue, submit annual plans and present full-site development plans of their choosing.
CBC would pay Wake County and Zebulon $710,000 in lease payments over 10 years, and the county and town would retain the ability to host up to 10 rent-free events each year.
The county and town will remain responsible for capital repairs, and they agreed to invest up to $10 million through 2027 “in facility improvements and establish a capital repair fund.”
