Tag: MLB
-
The Tampa Bay Rays‘ $1.7 billion sale to a Jacksonville developer-led group could be finalized within the next two weeks, team officials announced Wednesday. The buyer group is headed by Dream Finders Homes CEO Patrick Zalupski, who entered exclusive negotiations with current owner Stuart Sternberg’s group in June. Two major leadership changes accompany the pending…
·
-
Tropicana Field is one step closer to getting a new roof after Hurricane Milton shredded the old one. For weeks, crews have been laying netting and preparing for the job. Installation of the first of 24 roof panels—each weighing about 4,800 pounds—has now begun, a St. Petersburg city spokesperson confirmed. Because of the weight, the…
·
-
St. Petersburg is aiming to have hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field ready for the Tampa Bay Rays’ 2026 home opener, now officially set for April 6 against the Chicago Cubs. Major League Baseball released its schedule on Tuesday, giving the city a firm deadline to finish the ambitious repairs. Roof work is already underway, with the city…
·
-
Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg may finalize a deal to sell the team as early as September, according to a report by The Athletic. The sale, valued at approximately $1.7 billion, would transfer ownership to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski. The prospective buyers reportedly intend to keep the Rays in the…
·
-
St. Petersburg officials are preparing to formally end their stalled stadium deal with the Tampa Bay Rays and move forward with new redevelopment plans. The original $1.3 billion stadium proposal collapsed when the Rays chose not to proceed, letting a key agreement expire on March 31. Though that automatically voided other elements of the deal,…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays are in exclusive negotiations to sell the franchise to a group led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski in a deal reportedly valued at $1.7 billion. Multiple sources confirm that Zalupski has signed a letter of intent to buy the team. While not legally binding, the agreement signals serious momentum toward a…
·
-
The City of St. Petersburg has approved $22.5 million to replace the roof of Tropicana Field, securing its suitability for Major League Baseball after Hurricane Milton destroyed the stadium’s iconic dome in October 2024. The damage forced the Tampa Bay Rays to move their home games to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Beth Herendeen,…
·
-
As of Monday’s close, the stadium agreement between St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Rays will officially expire. Monday marks the deadline for the Rays to fulfill specific financial obligations tied to the deal, which was intended to spearhead the redevelopment of downtown St. Petersburg’s historic Gas Plant area. Failure to submit a letter terminating…
·
-
The vote to approve repairs to Tropicana Field, severely damaged last October by Hurricane Milton, has been postponed until next month. City Council member Corey Givens Jr. revealed that the delay was communicated via email by the city administrator on Friday, as council members prepared to return from spring break. Givens expressed frustration over the…
·
-
The decision to replace the roof at Tropicana Field, which was damaged last October during Hurricane Milton, has been postponed until next month. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the City Council vote originally scheduled for this week has been rescheduled for April 3. The roof repairs are estimated to cost $22.7 million, and council…
·
-
St. Petersburg officials are standing by their decision to reduce insurance coverage on Tropicana Field, despite facing widespread criticism after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the stadium’s roof just months later. The aging ballpark remains the city’s most expensive asset, with St. Petersburg set to spend roughly $56 million on repairs while uncertainty looms over its…
·
-
What seemed like a negotiating tactic has become a reality: the Tampa Bay Rays have abandoned a $1.37 billion stadium deal in downtown St. Petersburg after years of talks. The team’s partner, Hines, has scrapped plans to convert Tropicana Field’s sprawling lots into a lively mixed-use area honoring the displaced Black community. Still, Rays owner…
·
-
A group based in Tampa has revealed its interest in acquiring the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Leading this effort is Tampa businessman Joe Molloy, who aims to purchase the team and move forward with the proposed stadium deal in St. Petersburg, which remains available. The current ownership of the Rays…
·
-
As the March 31 deadline approaches, the Tampa Bay Rays face a critical decision about their proposed $1.3 billion stadium and the surrounding $6.5 billion Historic Gas Plant District development in St. Petersburg. Despite prior agreements and enthusiasm, recent events have created significant obstacles that may derail the project. The Current Situation The Rays must…
·
-
Local leaders are pushing back against recent criticism from Tampa Bay Rays executives regarding the $1.3 billion stadium development agreement, with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch leading the response to what he views as concerning public statements from the team. On February 14, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials responded forcefully to accusations made by…
·
-
During a pre-recorded segment on WDAE-AM’s “Countdown to Opening Day” podcast, Tampa Bay Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld voiced their opinions on the storm-damaged Tropicana Field and strained relationships with local authorities. The conversation aired nine days after St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch declared that the city would not chase a new stadium…
·
-
City documents reveal that repair costs for Tropicana Field are exceeding initial estimates. On Thursday, St. Petersburg City Council members will consider approving a cost adjustment of approximately $55,000 for the field’s roof demolition services. According to a change order form from Global Rope Access—a construction firm specializing in unique repair projects—the increase is due…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays are demanding that Tropicana Field be fully repaired and ready for opening day of the 2026 season. However, leaders from the City of St. Petersburg have clarified that their agreement does not include a specific deadline for these repairs. The damage caused by a hurricane and the shredded roof of Tropicana…
-
Tampa Bay Rays officials now state they “support and expect” the City of St. Petersburg to complete repairs to the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field in time for Opening Day of the 2026 season. In a letter to City Administrator Robert Gerdes, Rays President Matthew Silverman outlined the organization’s revised stance, emphasizing the importance of the city…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays find themselves without a permanent home after Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field, tearing off its roof. While talks of a new stadium have gained momentum in recent days, nothing has been finalized, leaving uncertainty about the team’s future in Tampa Bay. Potential Relocation Cities According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, several…
·
-
On Tuesday evening, Pinellas County commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of funding the new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays Stadium. Despite the approval, questions remain about whether the team will follow through with the deal. Commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer voted against the funding, while Chris Latvala and Dave Eggers, who had previously opposed…
·
-
Last week, Tampa Bay Rays officials expressed optimism that the $312 million in bonds would be approved to keep the new stadium project on track. However, the outcome remains uncertain as the Pinellas County commission convenes on Tuesday. Before the 2 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, the commission has requested confirmation that the Rays will fulfill…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Times reports that efforts to repair the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, have stalled, casting doubt on the Tampa Bay Rays franchise’s future in the city. The 35-year-old stadium, which suffered significant damage during Hurricane Milton, was initially slated to receive $24 million in funding for repairs. However, a last-minute reversal…
·
-
On Thursday, the St. Petersburg City Council unanimously voted to initiate repairs for Tropicana Field, which suffered significant damage from Hurricane Milton. City leaders approved $1.4 million for pre-construction activities and an additional $206,000 to hire a firm to plan the necessary repairs. In early October, Hurricane Milton severely damaged The Trop, home of the…
·
-
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stepped into the conversation surrounding the upcoming vote on the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. As reported by the Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with Spectrum Bay News 9, Manfred convened with Pinellas County officials on Monday to address the postponed decision regarding the stadium’s financing. County Commission Chairperson Kathleen…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays have released new details regarding their relocation to George Steinbrenner Field for the upcoming season. Steinbrenner Field, traditionally the spring training venue for the New York Yankees, has sparked some debate over responsibilities for certain upgrades. The Rays are now clarifying these arrangements. The Rays will occupy the field following the…
·
-
In a narrow 4-3 vote on Thursday, St. Petersburg city councilors approved bonds to help fund a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays in Pinellas County. The decision marks a significant step forward in the effort to keep the team in the area but comes amid ongoing disputes and delays. Key Vote Follows Hurricane…
·
-
The St. Pete City Council is set to vote today on bonds to finance the city’s portion of the $1.3 billion stadium deal, as the Tampa Bay Times reported. Why It Matters Delays have already jeopardized the stadium plan, with the Tampa Bay Rays indicating the agreement reached during the summer is nearly defunct. Approval…
·
-
The future of the Tampa Bay Rays in downtown St. Petersburg remains uncertain as tensions rise over financing for a new stadium at the Tropicana Field site. A stalemate between the team and Pinellas County has left the project in limbo, raising the question: could the site be redeveloped without the Rays playing there? The…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays’ celebrated deal with the city of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County Commission to build a new stadium may face challenges with the recent election of new Pinellas County Commission members. Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, a longtime advocate for relocating the team to Tampa, sees an opportunity if the Pinellas…
·
-
Tampa Bay Rays officials have addressed Pinellas County Commission Chairwoman Kathleen Peters’ inquiry about the team’s intentions regarding the stadium deal. This follows the county and St. Petersburg’s decision to delay votes on bond funding for the stadium. RELATED: County Fires Back at Tampa Bay Rays’ Claims, Demands Clarity on Stadium Deal In a statement,…
·
-
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…
·
-
Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters has pressed the Tampa Bay Rays to declare their intentions regarding the $1.3 billion stadium project by December 1, 2024. In a letter sent Monday to Rays Presidents Brian Auld and Matthew Silverman, Peters called for clarity on whether the team plans to proceed with the agreement amid stalled…
·
-
St. Petersburg is set to vote on a bond issuance to finance the city’s contribution to a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, but it might not make a difference. Before the delayed bond vote on Tuesday evening, the Rays sent a stern letter to Pinellas County commissioners. Rays presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman stated…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situation has created significant tension in St. Petersburg, with employees and local businesses anxiously awaiting resolution. Michele Dyson, a 10-year Tropicana Field employee, embodies the human impact of the ongoing stadium drama. “It’s more than just a stadium; it’s a home for a lot of us,” Dyson explained to WFLA,…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays have announced a halt to their stadium project following delays in securing funding from Pinellas County commissioners. In a letter from Rays presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, the team stated that the county’s failure to finalize bonds last month eliminated the possibility of completing the stadium by 2028. They added…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after Hurricane Milton inflicted severe damage on Tropicana Field. The storm, which swept through the Bay Area on October 9, tore parts of the roof from Tropicana Field, rendering it unusable for the 2025 season. Repair costs are expected to…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays could potentially play their 2025 home games at the Toronto Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Florida, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports. This possibility has emerged after Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to the Rays’ home stadium, Tropicana Field, potentially rendering it unusable for the upcoming season. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred…
·
-
MLB and the Tampa Bay Rays are evaluating extensive damage to Tropicana Field’s fiberglass dome from Hurricane Milton, raising concerns about the stadium’s availability for Opening Day 2025. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred indicates the league is actively seeking alternative venues in the Tampa Bay area. “We’re hoping to find a solution within the market and…
·
-
Tropicana Field was left heavily damaged on October 9th by Hurricane Milton, prompting the Tampa Bay Rays to find a new field for their 2025 season. The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World is one of the top options, with the Rays having previously played two series and part of spring…
·
-
The Tampa Bay Rays are facing uncertainty about where they’ll play at the start of the 2025 MLB season due to significant damage at Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton. The stadium’s roof and other areas were severely affected, making it unlikely the team will open at home as originally scheduled. Potential alternatives for home…
·