The Tampa Bay Rays have communicated to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners that the team is unable to proceed with the current agreement for a new stadium. Initially on course for a 2028 season opening, this setback is attributed to the board's decision to delay votes on the project. In a letter signed by team co-presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, shared by Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times, the organization expressed their disappointment, stating they were 'saddened and stunned by this unfortunate turn of events.' The letter further discussed the uncertain future of the Rays' stadium situation.
'As we have informed the county administrator and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, the county's failure to finalize the bonds last month ended the ability for a 2028 delivery of a ballpark,' the letter indicated. It also noted that a delay to 2029 would incur significantly higher costs that the organization cannot absorb independently. Despite this, the Rays emphasized their willingness to collaborate with any interested parties to secure the future of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay for generations.
The decision delay stemmed from Hurricane Milton, which caused damage to the roof of Tropicana Field, the Rays' current home. At the time of the vote, uncertainties loomed regarding where the Rays would play in the 2025 season. It has since been confirmed that the team will pay the New York Yankees up to $15 million to utilize George M. Steinbrenner Field for that season. In July, Pinellas County commissioners had approved $312.5 million in public financing for the stadium, sourced from tourist taxes, but a 6-1 vote in October postponed the bond issuance due to questions about the Rays' interim playing arrangements for 2025. Commissioner Chris Latvala led the effort to delay and had opposed the stadium deal in July, suggesting that the team consider BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater for temporary accommodations. The postponement of bond voting now casts doubt on the overall stadium plans.
