Rays Get Green Light for Stadium Search

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A lengthy standoff between St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Rays ended Thursday when the city gave the Major League Baseball franchise a green light to look elsewhere for a place to play.

The Rays have been seeking a way out of their contract at Tropicana Field for years as attendance figures slumped. Several deals had been brought to the table to enable the team to buy its way out of the contract, which technically ends in 2027, but none met council approval until now.

Under the approved agreement, the team cannot leave Tropicana Field before 2018, but it can look in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties for a new home. Hillsborough County officials have been working to woo the franchise.

Thursday’s deal also requires the Rays to find a new stadium site within three years. They must give the city at least 6 months to propose its own site.

Money is also on the line. The Rays could potentially pay as much as $24 million to walk away from Tropicana Field before 2027. The ultimate price will depend on what year the team actually leaves, several media outlets have reported.

The city will also receive up to $100,000 from the Rays to help pay for a master redevelopment plan for the Tropicana Field site, The Tampa Tribune reported.

The Rays have had MLB’s worst attendance record for years.

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