Rays Decide Not to Proceed with New Ballpark Development

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays confirmed that they will not continue with their plans to construct a new ballpark within the redeveloped Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg. This announcement was formally made via their social media channels and included a statement from principal owner Stuart Sternberg.

Sternberg shared, “After careful consideration, we have determined that we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this time. A series of unforeseen events since October led us to make this challenging decision. Our dedication to the success of the Rays franchise remains steadfast as we continue to seek a suitable ballpark solution that benefits our region, Major League Baseball, and our organization.”

The Rays were facing a deadline of March 31 to satisfy specific obligations related to the project. By stepping away from the arrangement, the agreement will be terminated, highlighting the critical state of their stadium planning.

MLB’s Commitment and Community Response

In response, Major League Baseball reiterated its commitment to finding a long-term home for the team in the Tampa Bay region, acknowledging the community’s disappointment. Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his intent to collaborate with local officials and Rays representatives to secure the franchise’s future.

Chairperson of the St. Petersburg City Council, Copley Gerdes, emphasized the city’s potential as a viable location for an MLB team, stating, “I continue to believe St. Petersburg is a major league city, both with baseball and beyond.”

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch called the Rays’ decision “a major disappointment” but noted that it is not unexpected. He expressed intentions to consider a phased redevelopment approach for the land while committing to repairing Tropicana Field as per the existing usage agreement.

Future Prospects for the Rays

Welch indicated that should a new owner emerge who is committed to honoring community agreements, they may pursue a partnership to keep baseball in St. Petersburg. However, progress will not be stalled as they search for a collaborative baseball partner.

The agreement concerning the Rays’ usage of Tropicana Field remains in force, set to conclude after the 2027 season but extendable if the Trop is deemed unplayable. The team expressed hopes of returning to their home ballpark for the Opening Day of 2026, with current initiatives in place for the restoration of Tropicana Field by then.

The Rays’ search for a new home had seemingly reached a conclusion in July with the approval of a $1.3 billion ballpark within a larger $6.5 billion redevelopment project. However, subsequent delays regarding funding and unexpected damages from Hurricane Milton prompted this decision.