• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Law

Minority Owners Sue Tampa Bay Rays, Alleging Fraud

  • The Tampa Bay Rays are being sued by five minority owners, who are alleging fraud.
  • The team’s stadium situation remains unsettled.
Tampa-Bay-Rays
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays minority owners claim they’re getting virtually no benefits of ownership and are taking their case to court — again.

A quintet of owners that collectively own 9.6% of the Rays alleged that principal owner Stuart Sternberg has committed fraud and violated Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.  

In its latest suit, the group says its ownership “has been reduced to a mere shell, with no revenues from baseball-related operations, no cash flow, and no responsibilities … to the Limited Partners.”

  • The group claims that the team was transferred into a business entity, Rays Baseball Club, without their knowledge.
  • They allege that Sternberg failed to disclose a $376 million payment from regional network Fox Sports Sun.
  • The same partners have filed two other suits against Sternberg this year.

The group now wants to remove Sternberg as general partner.

Stadium Bids Tossed

On Wednesday, St. Petersburg mayor Ken Welch announced that two proposals for the 86-acre lot that houses Tropicana Field have been tossed out, and the city is reopening the bidding process.

“Our environment has changed in many ways since the initial RFP was issued in July of 2020, and we must ensure the RFP meets our current environment and realities and incorporates the most up-to-date information,” Welch said.

The Rays’ lease at Tropicana Field expires in 2027

The team has explored a variety of options, including relocating within or outside Florida. Welch said the city aims to decide on the area’s redevelopment plan by the end of the year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
Jul 2, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Jake Mangum (28) leaps for a ball over the wall against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Rays Will Play Potential Playoff Games at Spring Training Stadium

Tropicana Field is undergoing hurricane renovations.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Princeton

Transgender Sprinter Sues Princeton Over Last-Minute Ban

The sprinter was removed 15 minutes before her race.
Caster Semenya
July 10, 2025

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
July 16, 2025

Judge Rules for NFL, Fanatics Against Small Apparel Seller

The lawsuit argued the NFL “aids and abets” Fanatics with its strategy.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
A set of trading cards
July 9, 2025

Judge Rules Against Fanatics as Panini Case Gets Rancorous

A judge ordered Fanatics to turn over unredacted trading card licenses.
May 9, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Sports are shown on TVs behind the bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in the Short North. Though there are no on-site betting windows, eligible customers can place bets through the DraftKings app.
July 3, 2025

PrizePicks Drops Suit Against Ex-Employee Who Left for DraftKings

The ex-employee still disputes the allegations.
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.