URGENT UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred has just confirmed that the Tampa Bay Rays will restart their search for a new ballpark site once the team is sold. This announcement comes amidst ongoing negotiations for the sale of the franchise, currently owned by Stu Sternberg, to a group led by Patrick Zalupski.
According to Manfred, the Rays have struggled in recent years with failed ballpark deals, and a change in ownership could provide a fresh start. “With new ownership, you have to assume it’s kind of a clean slate,” he stated during the Front Office Sports “Tuned In” event on Tuesday. This shift could enable the team to explore optimal locations for a new stadium that could enhance their long-term success.
The Rays have been playing their home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa while Tropicana Field undergoes repairs due to damage from Hurricane Milton last October. The franchise, which has called Tropicana Field home since its inception in 1998, is among the lowest-drawing teams in MLB history. The urgency for a new venue is palpable, as the team seeks to improve attendance and community engagement.
Manfred emphasized the importance of local connections for the new ownership team. “They’re going to have to build and make relationships and contacts with people throughout the region to decide what’s the best place for the ballpark,” he explained. The Rays previously proposed several ballpark projects, including a $1.3 billion development adjacent to Tropicana Field, which they withdrew from in March due to delays and hurricane-related issues.
The potential sale to a group deeply rooted in the Tampa community is seen as a promising development, according to Manfred. “The situation in Tampa has a lot of kind of promising developments,” he said, highlighting the importance of local investment in the franchise’s future.
Looking ahead, MLB has plans to consider expansion from 30 to 32 teams, contingent upon the Rays and the Oakland Athletics securing new ballparks. The A’s are already in the early stages of constructing their new venue in Las Vegas, set to open in 2028. As part of these discussions, realignment of teams may also be on the table, a topic that has evolved significantly since Manfred became commissioner in 2015.
“We’re looking forward to the Rays returning next year to Tropicana from Steinbrenner Field,” Manfred noted, reflecting on the challenges posed by weather disruptions this season, which have included 16 rain delays impacting 15 games for a total of nearly 15 hours.
As the Rays navigate this pivotal moment, fans and stakeholders await further developments closely. Will new ownership lead to a successful ballpark deal and renewed excitement for baseball in Tampa Bay? Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.