Rays’ $1.3B Ballpark Hangs in the Balance During County Bond Vote

An ugly offseason for the Rays could grow even worse Tuesday if the Pinellas County, Fla., commission blocks the issuance of bonds toward a new $1.3 billion ballpark—a move that could again make the club a relocation possibility.

The MLB franchise is already grappling with the effects of Hurricane Milton on Tropicana Field, which is forcing a full-year move to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, also the home of the Yankees’ spring training home and a minor league team. But newly elected opposition to the stadium on the county commission raises the serious prospect that bonds covering a sizable portion of the project cost will not happen. 

A vote to approve the county bonds, paying $312.5 million toward the stadium project, has already been delayed once. The measure is on the agenda for a commission meeting on Tuesday, but another postponement is possible—a move that would already threaten a groundbreaking targeted for early next year toward a ballpark opening in 2028. 

Pushing back that timetable would inevitably raise the costs of the new ballpark, which will be borne entirely by private sources as the taxpayer contribution is capped. The Rays’ revenue prospects are also impaired after recent adjustments to its local media rights with Diamond Sports Group, and the recent deal to play at the 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field.

Over the weekend, Rays owner Stu Sternberg told the Tampa Bay Times the initial delay in the bond approval “sent a clear message that we had lost the county as a partner.”

“The future of baseball in Tampa Bay became less certain after that [prior] vote,” Sternberg said. 

Even Worse Damage

The Rays, meanwhile, released a set of photographs further detailing just how extensive the hurricane damage is to Tropicana Field. Though the city of St. Petersburg has already received an initial repair assessment—pointing to nearly $56 million and about a year that will be required—the latest pictures show something of an apocalyptic scene inside the facility.

Pieces of the roof have been strewn about all over the ballpark interior, water damage is extensive, and some fourth-floor team offices have now become open to the elements after the roof was ripped apart, similar to the main dome at the stadium.