City seeks consultant for Rays stadium negotiations
February 22, 2021 - After St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman blasted the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday during his final State of the City address, saying that it was time for the team to “pick a partner and get married,” the city has put out a call for help in its stadium negotiations with the Rays. The 42-page request for proposals seeks experts who can “provide substantial evidence of successfully negotiating with a Major League Baseball, or other professional sports [franchise], on behalf of a municipal government.” Stadium financing expertise is the primary criterion for proposals to meet, along with knowledge of the “financial structure of an MLB franchise and their capabilities and limitations.” Proposals are due March 3.