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Commissioners: Rays will likely move to Tampa
Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala would support resurrecting failed plans to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in St. Petersburg if the team is under new ownership.
However, he and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan believe the potential buyers, announced Wednesday, will move the team to Tampa. The two shared their thoughts with WDAE after the Rays confirmed that current owner Stuart Sternberg has “recently commenced exclusive discussions” to sell the Rays.
A spokesperson for the City of St. Petersburg said the team has not discussed a sale or negotiations with the mayoral administration. A Jacksonville-based developer is leading the potential new ownership group, which includes “prominent Tampa Bay investors.”
Finding a new stadium site and securing funding for the massive project are the top priorities for any owner. Hagan believes Ybor City is now “an even greater possibility,” despite Tampa developer Darryl Shaw, majority owner of the Tampa Bay Sun, announcing Tuesday that he plans to build a new 15,000-seat waterfront soccer stadium in the area.
The location was once considered a potential site for a Rays ballpark, but the team ended negotiations in 2018 due to financing concerns. Hagan, a long-time proponent of moving the team across the bay, told WDAE Wednesday that he met with Shaw two weeks ago to discuss the site’s future.
“In his (Shaw’s) words, they still have the ability to pivot toward a Rays stadium, even though they’re moving forward in the direction of building a facility for the Sun,” Hagan said. “I guess you can interpret that in different ways, but that’s the way he stated it to me.”
The website Sportico first reported that Patrick Zalupski was leading efforts to buy the Rays for $1.7 billion. While the platform said he signed a letter of intent, there is no purchase agreement.
Major League Baseball would then vet Zalupski, founder of Jacksonville’s Dream Finders Homes, and the minority owners. Those include Ken Babby, who owns two minor league teams, and Bill Cosgrove, a minority owner of Ohio-based Union Home Mortgage.
Union Home Mortgage has been the title sponsor of college football’s Gasparilla Bowl, a postseason game annually played at Raymond James Stadium, since 2020. MLB team owners must ultimately approve the sale, and Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated that he wants the Rays to remain in Tampa Bay.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch declined to comment. Stakeholders expect a new ownership group to consider sites on both sides of the bay.
“This is certainly welcoming news for Rays fans in Tampa Bay,” Latvala told WDAE. “I think the likelihood of them staying in Tampa Bay has gone up tremendously.”
Latvala noted Zalupski is “good friends” with Governor Ron DeSantis. Hagan said he also recently met with DeSantis, who would support state funding subsidizing stadium infrastructure.
“Those dollars would go to our side of the ledger if you will,” Hagan added. “So, I think there’s some additional funding sources.”
He said Hillsborough County would “start with our last proposal” and discern additional funding mechanisms. That was $193.7 million in 2022.
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg walked away from $600 million in public funding from Pinellas County and St. Petersburg due to funding concerns in March. Team president Matt Silverman subsequently said the team was not for sale.
“I guess there’s still some potential for Pinellas County and St. Pete to meet with their new ownership group and build a ballpark,” Hagan said. “I said, for 15 years, that was a failed business model. If that’s what it takes to ensure that they stay here … I’m 100% on board.
“I just fully, 100% believe in my heart that the commissioner (Manfred) and the new local ownership group realize that for the team to truly be successful and sustainable long-term, it needs to be in Hillsborough County.”
Hagan said the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa and the former Derby Lane greyhound track in northeast St. Petersburg are still potential stadium sites. Mayor Ken Welch has signaled a willingness to work with new team ownership as the city redevelops the Historic Gas Plant District.
Latvala said Zalupski wouldn’t need a “whole lot of political connections” if he builds a stadium in Pinellas. He would “absolutely” approve the deal previously offered to Sternberg.
“I would guess that they’re more in line with wanting to build in Tampa, but that’s just a guess,” Latvala said. “I love the (Tampa Bay) Bucs and the (Tampa Bay) Lightning … them playing across the bridge has no bearing on my fandom.
“I think Pinellas residents will understand that, as well. Them (the Rays) playing in Hillsborough County is a whole lot better than them playing in Orlando or Nashville or Montreal.”
Oscar Bouie
June 21, 2025at5:18 pm
Oh great la.e Soccor and Baseball totally whitewash smdh.
S. Rose Smith-Hayes
June 20, 2025at3:53 pm
Whatever is best for the team and the employees. They are a great group of people.
Mardie Scotr
June 20, 2025at12:29 pm
It’s time for pro spots to build their own stadia instead of looking to taxpayers to provider them with a business site. I am anti prosports because of the favoritism granted to them and the idolizing of players who are often nasty people. Florida is growing too fast as it so we have no need to entice more people here and we should not pay for it. We don’t build restaurants for McDonalds or for Mom and Pop so let the rich guys provide their own spots.
Jay Hill
June 20, 2025at9:21 am
Welch fumbled the bag, fumbled the deal, fumbled the relationship. While he is not the only politician on that side of the Bay to screw up the MLB situation, he will go down in history as the one that let them get away. Tampa is waiting with open arms, even if it is 10 years too late. And just because Hillsborough knows how to play nice in the sandbox, the name will stay the same. Go, Tampa Bay Rays.!!!
Roy Adams
June 20, 2025at6:31 am
Move the Rays to Tampa, it’s about time. The location does not have to be in Ybor City it needs to be convenient to all the Tampa Bay Region. North Tampa close to Dale Mabry and Boy Scout Road. There is a large parcel of land on that corner that will work or Al lopas Field is another great location.
Michael H
June 19, 2025at10:42 pm
MLB has made it clear that they want the 11th largest market to have a major league team. I’m not surprised that Stu has given up and would not be prepared to face the wrath of MLB and the public.
Matthew Gowdy
June 19, 2025at8:44 pm
So long, its been good to know you!
Paul Krauledis
June 19, 2025at7:16 pm
What would you expect the new owners to do. You St Pete. jerked the Rays around London enough
HAL FREEDMAN
June 19, 2025at4:11 pm
Orlando would still be best. The investor group there appears to have a jumpstart on funds to build a stadium. Tampa is fine, if it comes to that. I just hope Mayor Welch is smart enough to keep the Rays & MLB out of St.Petersburg. If Welch wants to take a shot, he should have the courage to put it to a vote by St. Petersburg residents, via referendum.