The epic poets of old could have hardly conceived a saga as twisting as that of the Tampa Bay Rays in recent months. After Hurricane Milton tore the roof off Tropicana Field, we learned the stadium would not be ready for the 2025 MLB season, forcing the Rays to move to Tampa for the year.
Ownership has now decided to walk away from longstanding plans to build and move into a new stadium in St. Pete, and develop the Historic Gas Plant District. Officials cited “a series of events beginning in October that nobody could have anticipated” in a statement.
Owner Stu Sternberg reinforced the team’s plan to move back into Tropicana Field once repairs are complete. A reminder: Their lease on the Trop ends in 2027.
So, what’s next? Here’s a few routes the Rays could take:
- With mounting pressure on Sternberg to sell the team, an interested group of Tampa-based investors may be the key to the Rays’ future.
- Steinbrenner Field could become a permanent home.
- The Rays have also been linked with a potential move to Orlando, and would become the Orlando Dreamers.
- There are a bunch of cities across the US with groups pushing for an MLB team in places like Nashville and Raleigh.
What do you think will happen? Let us know.
