Rays ownership, the stadium situation is in flux

Potential buyers a Tampa Bay Rays have emerged, and some prospective owners are planning to move the franchise out of Florida, The Athletic reported on Sunday.

While owner Stuart Sternberg is involved in discussions about financing a new stadium at the Tampa-St. At least one local businessman in the St. Petersburg area has stepped forward to try to buy the franchise. According to the report, other teams on the transfer agenda have shown interest, even though Sternberg has not put up a “for sale” sign on the team.

The potential local buyer is Dan Doyle Jr., CEO of DEX Imagine, a Tampa office technology company with a background in real estate development, The Athletic reports. The other buyers were not named.

THE Rays have long wanted to move out of St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field, where their lease expires after the 2027 season. The leading contender for the new stadium is the Tropicana Field site and surrounding area, where a 30,000-seat park would be built next to a mixed-use residential, commercial and entertainment district. However, the review of other potential sites continues

A $1.2 billion stadium plan has been drawn up, but it would require public funding if not enough private investment is forthcoming. That the Rays If a stadium is placed in Tampa or St. Petersburg, the likelihood of using public money in either location is unlikely, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes spending tax dollars on pro team stadiums.

THE Rays would not comment to The Athletic

Commissioner Rob Manfred said settling the stadium issues is a Rays and the Oakland Athletics is a priority. The Aks move to Las Vegas, but run into obstacles in the way of government funding

Despite all the background noise, the Rays He entered Sunday with an MLB-best 34-13 record

— Field Level Media