STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — There hasn't been a game played at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark since Labor Day weekend of 2019. That's when the Staten Island Yankees played their final game, the result of Major League Baseball overhauling its farm system and leaving dozens of teams without a minor league affiliation.

But sources tell NY1 a deal to bring baseball back to the borough is ever so close to being finalized.

The deal involves a group that will include New York City billionaire John Catsimatidis, Manhattan resident Eric Shuffler and other investors who make up the entity Staten Island Entertainment LLC.

Sources say the city hopes to formally announce the deal at a news conference as early as next week.

Under the agreement, the new owners would lease the St. George stadium from the city.

The team would play in the independent Atlantic League, a partner of Major League Baseball. However, it would not be an official farm team.

As for a team name, Staten Islanders will get to pick it through a naming contest.

As part of the deal with the city, more than $8 million worth of upgrades and repairs will be made to the stadium.

The repairs will include new seating and a new artificial turf field. One source called the turf a "game changer" that will enable year-round use and allow youth, high school and college teams to use the facility.

Sources say the new owners also plan to bring entertainment to the ballpark including concerts and festivals.

The Atlantic League's next season doesn't begin until next April.

League President Eric White would not confirm any details about the potential deal but said, "We expect to be playing on Staten Island next year."

The Staten Island Yankees were a big part of the community at one time but support for the team dwindled the last few years, due in part to construction near the stadium that led to a lack of parking.

Sources say the focus of the new ownership group will be to reconnect with Staten Islanders and help create a better experience for the entire community.