Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters has forcefully rebutted claims by the Tampa Bay Rays that the county derailed plans for a new baseball stadium, calling the accusation “categorically false.”

In a public letter sent Monday to Rays executives Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, Peters requested that the team clarify their intentions regarding the $1.3 billion stadium project approved in July. She urged the Rays to either confirm their commitment to the deal or issue a formal termination notice by Sunday, Dec. 1.

READ: Rays Face Dec. 1 Deadline to Clarify Stadium Deal Intentions, Says Pinellas County Commission Chair

“The assertion that the County ‘killed the deal’ is categorically false,” Peters wrote. “Pinellas County has acted in good faith, balancing work on the stadium project with critical recovery efforts after consecutive hurricanes. If the Rays want out of this agreement, it is their right, but clear communication is essential for the partnership’s next steps.”

No Show at Key Meetings

Peters noted the absence of Rays representatives at an Oct. 29 meeting where the county delayed a decision on stadium bond funding. Although two team representatives attended a Nov. 19 meeting, neither spoke.

Two days later, Rays President Brian Auld declared the agreement “dead” during a St. Petersburg City Council meeting. Auld suggested the team was open to negotiating terms different from the July agreement, an assertion Peters dismissed as speculative.

St. Petersburg Mayor Backs County’s Position

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch released a statement Monday supporting Peters’ request for clarity. He confirmed the city has also asked the Rays for a formal termination of the agreement.

“My discussions with Pinellas County Commissioners have been productive,” Welch stated. “However, Mr. Auld’s remarks last week clearly indicated that the Rays believe there is ‘no deal’ and do not intend to proceed under the terms of the agreement signed in July.”

Rays’ Response and Future Outlook

In response to Peters’ letter, Auld reiterated the team’s commitment to finding a long-term solution that keeps Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay.

“We are eager to work with all partners on a solution for the 2029 season that secures MLB’s future in the region,” Auld said. “We will continue engaging with the city and county as we navigate this process.”

Upcoming Votes

The Pinellas County Commission has scheduled its vote on the stadium bonds for Dec. 17. St. Petersburg’s City Council is expected to vote no later than Jan. 9.

The future of the deal hinges on whether the Rays formally declare their intentions, as both county and city leaders demand a decisive answer.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Forward Pinellas)