Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred, along with several team owners, is reportedly exerting pressure on Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the franchise. This development arises amid ongoing challenges surrounding the Rays’ stadium situation and the team’s future in the Tampa Bay area.
Stadium Challenges and Financial Disputes
The Rays have faced persistent difficulties in securing a new stadium. In October 2024, Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, forcing the team to relocate their 2025 home games to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Efforts to construct a new $1.3 billion stadium on the Tropicana Field site have encountered delays and funding disputes. The Pinellas County Commission approved $312.5 million in bonds for the project, but disagreements over additional financing responsibilities have strained relations between the Rays’ ownership and local government officials.
Pressure from MLB Leadership
Commissioner Manfred and other MLB owners are reportedly frustrated with the lack of progress on the stadium front. They are concerned about the Rays’ commitment to remaining in Florida and have allegedly urged Sternberg to consider selling the team if a viable stadium solution cannot be secured promptly.
Potential Buyers Emerge
Several groups have expressed interest in acquiring the Rays:
Edward DeBartolo Jr. Family and Joe Molloy: The DeBartolo family, former owners of the San Francisco 49ers, along with Joe Molloy, a former managing general partner of the New York Yankees, are reportedly involved in a bid to purchase the team. Molloy has indicated a commitment to honoring the existing stadium agreement with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
Dan Doyle Jr.: Tampa businessman Dan Doyle Jr., who previously explored purchasing the Rays in 2023, is part of another group expressing interest. Details about this group’s plans, including their stance on the stadium project, are less clear.
MLB’s Position on Team Relocation
While potential buyers might seek to relocate the team for financial or strategic reasons, MLB reportedly prefers that the Rays remain in Florida. The league is considering alternative locations within the state, such as the Ybor City neighborhood near downtown Tampa or Orlando, if St. Petersburg proves unfeasible.
Implications for the Rays’ Future
The situation underscores the urgency for a resolution to the Rays’ stadium and ownership challenges. With looming deadlines and significant financial considerations, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the franchise’s direction and its place within the MLB landscape.
