The Pinellas County Commission approved bonds to fund a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, keeping the team in St. Petersburg for 30 years. The Rays, facing funding delays, now say the ballpark won't open until 2029 and they can't absorb overage costs alone. Speculation surrounds the team's commitment to the deal, with relocation possibilities raised if they back out.
The Pinellas County Commission voted 5-2 on Tuesday in favor of passing bonds that would go toward the building of a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays .After a nearly two-month delay, the Pinellas County Commission voted Tuesday in favor of its share of financing for a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, part of a plan to keep the team in St. Petersburg for another 30 years.
This now means that Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg have upheld their end of the bargain financially, and the pressure is now on the Rays to do the same. The Rays intended to build a new ballpark that would open in the 2028 season, but they say that the delays in funding have made that impossible. They say now that a ballpark can't be built until 2029 and that they can't absorb overage costs by themselves, as they are contractually obligated to do.
Some politicians feel that the Rays want to back out of the deal, but that remains to be seen at this point. If the Rays did want to back out of the deal, there has been talk of possible relocation of the franchise. The Rays will spend the 2025 season playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa because of damage caused to Tropicana Field in Hurricane Milton.went 80-82 this past season, finishing fourth in the American League East. They figure to be competitive in 2025 with the return of ace pitcher Shane McClanahan from injury.
Tampa Bay Rays MLB Ballpark St. Petersburg Funding Delays
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Reminder to Tampa Bay Rays Fans: The Funding in Las Vegas Isn't Team SpecificThe Tampa Bay Rays are looking to build a new ballpark and have run into some issues with local politicians.
Read more »
Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Zobrist, Fernando Rodney Among 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot NewcomersBen Zobrist was one of the faces of the Tampa Bay Rays during their rebrand, while Fernando Rodney contended for AL Cy Young out of their bullpen in 2012.
Read more »
Former Seattle Mariners Prospect Austin Shenton DFA'd by Tampa Bay RaysA former Seattle Mariners prospect will likely be looking for a new home in 2025 after being designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Read more »
Tampa Bay Rays Designate Former Trade Acquisition Austin Shenton For AssignmentShenton was acquired in a deal with the Seattle Mariners back in 2021 and never could quite gain a footing with the Rays.
Read more »
Tampa Bay Rays say new stadium unlikely to be ready for 2028 season, if at allA combination of hurricane damage to Tropicana Field and political delays on financing means it is highly unlikely the Tampa Bay Rays’ planned new stadium will be ready for the 2028 season, if at all
Read more »
Tampa Bay Rays Plan For New Ballpark Hits Another Snag with Local Government DelayThe Tampa Bay Rays have been working for years to get a new ballpark in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. After finally getting approval this summer, it looks like the whole thing could come crashing down. Here's the latest.
Read more »