The melodrama surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays’ plans for a new stadium took another turn with the team announcing it will not continue the development of a new $1.3 billion, 30,000-seat venue in St. Petersburg, Florida.
ESPN reports the team cited the expensive delays in the project exacerbated by last fall’s hurricanes brought the effort to a halt.
“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” said principal owner Stuart Sternberg in a statement. “A series of events beginning in October that no one could have anticipated led to this difficult decision. Our commitment to the vitality and success of the Rays organization is unwavering. We continue to focus on finding a ballpark solution that serves the best interests of our region, Major League Baseball, and our organization.”
The Rays’ contract with the city of St. Petersburg requires the team to complete three more seasons at Tropicana Field following the repair to that stadium, which sustained damage during Hurricane Milton. The team will play its 2025 season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which is the spring training home of the New York Yankees.
What happens when the Rays’ contract expires is uncertain. The Rays played at Tropicana Field since their debut season in 1998, but last year the team averaged 16,515 fans in 81 home games last season – the third worst attendance record in Major League Baseball (MLB). While the team could potentially leave for another market, MLB issued a statement that declared it “remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the 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 Rays officials to secure the club’s future in the Tampa Bay region.”
