A new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays moved a step closer to reality on Tuesday when the Pinellas County Commission approved paying $1.3 billion toward the construction of a venue in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The St. Petersburg City Council approved its share of the stadium funding on Dec. 5.
Still, the plan is far from a certainty as Rays ownership has expressed skepticism about proceeding due to delays with the approvals causing the overall cost to rise. The team would be responsible for the balance of the bill not covered by public financing.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred lobbied the Pinellas County Commission to approve the deal, and his efforts succeeded.
Commissioner Chris Latvala said in a statement, “While I do not trust the owner of the Rays, I trust Manfred. He is the reason I am voting yes. MLB is aware of several instances where the Rays organization has intentionally tried to sabotage the very deal they agreed to.
“As a result of this vote, it is my hope that the Rays will finally have an owner that our other wonderful local franchises have. Rays fans deserve our own Vinik, Steinbrenner, Glazer or Middleton, who care more about the fans and community as they do their own bottom line.”
The Rays’ long-term stadium situation was already in flux before Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof of the team’s current venue, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, on Oct. 9.
It will take more than a year and in excess of $55 million to repair the building, according to the city. The Rays announced in mid-September that they would play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, a 11,026-seat venue.
The Rays were hoping to be in a new facility in 2028 or 2029.
