Honey Hunters owner gets more bad news in court

Kara Fohner, Gaston Gazette
·2 min read

The owner of the Gastonia Honey Hunters was denied what it asked for in two recent rulings in Maryland bankruptcy court.

Judge Lori S. Simpson denied NC Gas House Gang's request to be admitted back into the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Simpson also denied the company's request to vacate an earlier decision that allowed Gastonia's lawsuit against N.C. Gas House Gang to proceed.

NC Gas House Gang's financial problems came to light last summer after it became known that the company was not paying its bills. The organization owed the city of Gastonia more than $35,000 for the 2023 lease, $50,000 in management commissions, and more than $2,200 for the cost of a mobile stage that was purchased for the stadium.

The city sued NC Gas House Gang in November after the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball terminated the Gastonia Honey Hunters' membership due to more than $1 million in unpaid debt.

In early December, NC Gas House Gang filed for bankruptcy.

While the city of Gastonia alleges that NC Gas House Gang allowed the stadium to fall into disrepair and left a trail of unpaid creditors, NC Gas House Gang alleges that city officials conspired with the Atlantic League to oust them from the stadium and introduce a new team.

The most recent court decisions echo earlier rulings in the contentious case.

According to Simpson's order, NC Gas House Gang argued against its termination from the league in January, but Simpson then denied its request. The company then asked her to reconsider, which she refused to do.

NC Gas House Gang also asked that a ruling that granted the city relief from the automatic stay issued when the company filed for bankruptcy be vacated.

Simpson denied that request as well.

The city of Gastonia announced a new baseball team earlier this month.

The new team, which will be known as Gastonia Baseball Club until it is formally named, will be owned by Zawyer Sports and Entertainment.

The city of Gastonia sued the organization that operates the Gastonia Honey Hunters, asking that the team be forced to vacate the ballpark.
The city of Gastonia sued the organization that operates the Gastonia Honey Hunters, asking that the team be forced to vacate the ballpark.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Honey Hunters owner gets more bad news in court