Sternberg expects to build ballpark in Tampa Bay, remain Rays owner

ST. PETERSBURG -- After a report from The Athletic on Sunday morning stated that the Rays are drawing interest from at least one local group and others that would look to relocate the team, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said he expects to stay in his position and keep the Rays in the Tampa Bay area for the foreseeable future.

"I expect we will build a ballpark in Tampa Bay that will keep the Rays here for generations to come,” Sternberg said in a statement. “I also plan on remaining the Rays owner."

Citing anonymous sources, The Athletic reported that Dan Doyle Jr., chief executive officer of Tampa-based DEX Imaging (a Rays sponsor), is attempting to buy the franchise. The Rays are also generating interest from ownership groups that would move the club to another city, according to the report. But The Athletic also reported what club officials have been saying publicly throughout the team’s 15-year search for a long-term home: Building a ballpark on either side of Tampa Bay is still the Rays’ primary focus. The report noted that Sternberg “is in talks with potential investors and other sources of capital that would help fund” a new ballpark in the area.

The Rays’ use agreement at Tropicana Field expires after the 2027 season, so the team needs a new ballpark by Opening Day 2028. They could remain in St. Petersburg, as Mayor Ken Welch announced in January that he selected the Rays and their development partner Hines as his preferred choice to redevelop the 86-acre area also known as the Historic Gas Plant District. According to the city’s project timeline, the two sides would complete a use agreement term sheet this summer and present a development agreement to City Council in September or October.

Speaking on Opening Day, Sternberg said the Rays had “consistent conversations” with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials while engaging in “some conversations” with Hillsborough County. At the time, Sternberg said the club was further along with St. Petersburg but expected talks could progress “in a hurry” on the Tampa side of the bay “if it’s something that becomes realistic.” Sternberg also noted two months ago that he expected there to be a deal in place for a long-term solution in the Tampa Bay area by the end of the year.

“That’s my belief. It’s a very reasonable anticipation,” Sternberg said on March 30. “And if we don’t, then there’s not a deal to be done, basically. … At the end of the day, it’s all about ensuring that the team is here throwing out its first pitch in 2028 and then here throwing out its first pitch in 2053 as well.”