this Tampa Bay Light “Tough decisions” have been made to block a deal of about $1.3 billion in stadium and land reconstruction. The project will ensure the future of MLB Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has a state-of-the-art court next to the Tropicana Field.
The current house of the ray is under repair after The roof of the stadium In October, Hurricane Milton was severely damaged. Light will welcome the visiting team to Stanbrenner Stadium in 2025. The 11,000-seat court is the New York Yankees’ spring training home.
Ray chief owner Stuart Sternberg said in October that “a series of events” that delays in fundraising led to “this difficult decision.”
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A drone image shows the dome of the Tropicana field, torn by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida on October 10, 2024. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)
“After careful consideration, we concluded that we are currently unable to continue with new stadiums and development projects,” Sternberg said in a statement. “A series of events starting in October, no one could have anticipated this difficult decision.”
Sternberg added that the organization remains committed to addressing its stadium issues.
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“Our commitment to the vitality and success of the Ray Organization is unwavering. We continue to focus on finding a course solution that provides the best interest for our region, Major League Baseball and our organization.”
“MLB remains committed to finding a permanent club for fans and local communities in the Tampa Bay area,” he said. Major League Baseball said in a statement. “Commissioner (Rob) Manfred learned of the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today’s announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders and ray officials to ensure the club’s future in the Tampa Bay area.”
Tropicana Field opened in 1990 and has been Rays’ home since the field began in 1998. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a driving force known as the “Stay Here” initiative, aiming to keep the rays in the city for another 30 years, said it was disappointing, but not surprising. ”
He noted that the rays may be sold.
Tropicana Fields before the game between the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports)
“If over the next few months a new owner demonstrates a commitment to respecting their agreements and community priorities, we will consider building partnerships to keep baseball at St. Peter. But we won’t put the city’s progress on the shelves as we wait for a collaborative and community-focused baseball partner.”
Under the current contract with the City of St. Petersburg, the Rays will play for three more seasons on the existing baseball field after repairs. These repairs are expected to be completed in time 2026 season.
“The City of St. Petersburg is currently advancing plans to resume Tropicana Stadium in the 2026 season,” Sternberg said. “We appreciate their efforts and are happy to return to our home court next spring.”
Tropicana Field, home to the MLB Tampa Bay Ray, was damaged after Hurricane Milton landed in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida on October 10, 2024. (Reuters/Octavio Jones)
The proposed 30,000-seat stadium is a wider $6.5 billion revitalization project called the historic gas plant area, which refers to the major black community stimulated by the construction of Tropicana Field and an interstate.
The decision of the ray puts a wider range of projects in a difficult situation.
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The Rays are facing a March 31 deadline to decide whether to continue with the new stadium project. Under a previous agreement approved by New York City and Pinalas County, the government will cover half of the $1.3 billion stadium, with Rays and its development partner Hines covering the rest, including any cost overruns.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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