Tampa Bay rays have made “tough decisions” to prevent an estimated $ 1.3 billion stadium and land redevelopment deal. The project would have secured the future of the MLB club in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a state -of -the -art ballpark next to the Tropicana field.
The current house of the rage is undergoing repair after Hurricane Milton was heavy damaged by Hurricane Milton in October. The rays will welcome the teams coming to the Steinbrener Field in 2025. The 11,000 -seat Ballpark serves as New York Yankis Spring Training Home.
Stuart Sternberg, the lead owner of RAYS, stated that “a series of events” in October and delay in financing led the “difficult decision”.
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A drone image shows the dome of the Tropicana field, which was opened by Storm Milton on 10 October 2024, St. Petersburg, Fla. (Brian R. Smith/AFP via Getty Image)
“After careful deliberations, we have concluded that we cannot proceed with the new ballpark and development project at this time,” Sterneberg said in a statement. “A series of events starting in October that could not guess this difficult decision to anyone.”
Sternberg said that the organization is committed to resolving the issue of its stadium.
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“Our commitment to the raise organization’s vitality and success is unbreakable. We continue to focus on finding a ballpark solution that works in our region, Major League baseball and the best interest of our organization.”
MLB said in a statement, “Major League baseball is committed to finding a permanent house for the club in the Tampa Gulf region for its fans and local community.” “Commissioner (Rob) Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today’s announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders and officials officials to secure the future of the club in Tampa Gulf region.”
The Tropicana Field was opened in 1990 and has been a ray home since he went to the field in 1998. St. Petersburg’s Mayor Ken Welch, which was said to have rays in the city for another 30 years by a driving force behind the “Hi -to Stay” initiative, this decision was disappointing, but “it is not unexpected.”
It is possible that rays can be sold, they said.
The Tropicana field before a game between Chicago cub and Tampa Bay rays. (Nathan Ray Sebake/USA Today Sports)
“If, in the coming months, a new owner who demonstrates a commitment to honor his agreements and emerges our community priorities, we will consider a partnership to keep baseball in Saint Peat. But we will not hold our city’s progress as we are waiting for a collaborative and community-focused baseball partner.”
Under its current contract with the city of St. Petersburg, rays will play three more sessions in their existing ballpark after repairing. Those repairs are expected to be completed on time for the 2026 season.
“St. Petersburg’s city is currently carrying forward a plan to restore the Tropicana field for the 2026 season,” Sternberg said. “We are grateful to their efforts and are excited to return to our home area in the next spring.”
Damaged roof of Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay rays house of Major League baseball, Stone Milton was followed by St. Petersburg, Fla., Landfall in 10 October, 2024. (Reuters/Octavio Jones)
The proposed 30,000 -seat stadium is a signature piece of a wide $ 6.5 billion revival project known as the historic gas plant district, mainly refers to the black neighborhood that was forced by the construction of the Tropicana field and an interstate highway spur.
The decision of the rays keeps a comprehensive project in Limbo.
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The rays faced the March 31 deadline to continue with the new Ballpark project. Under the first approved agreement by the city and the Pinellus County, the governments will cover about half the cost of $ 1.3 billion stadiums, including rays and their development partner covered the rest, including any cost overran.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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