Rays Quash Dream Of Ybor City Stadium

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg is putting the kibosh on plans to build a new stadium for the Rays in Ybor City.

On Tuesday Sternberg announced during Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, that building a $900 million stadium on Adamo Drive in no longer viable.

However, he said the team is remains committed to remaining in Tampa Bay.

"Major League Baseball is a large part of what defines Tampa Bay as a major-league region and I continue to be enthusiastic about finding a way forward," he said,.

Sternberg's announcement came after a letter from Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred was released to the media. After reviewing the Hillsborough County Commission's proposal to finance a new Rays stadium in Ybor City, Manfred said the county's offer lacked the details needed to determine its feasibility by the Dec. 31 to reach an agreement with Hillsborough County.

The county's proposal, presented to Rays management on Nov. 30, laid out a finance plan that didn't involve the use of public funds to build the stadium. Instead, County Administrator Mike Merrill proposed that the Rays fund half the cost of the new stadium as well as assume responsibility for the stadiums operations and maintenance. The remainder would be funded by creating Opportunity Zones and using other redevelopment funds provided by investors in the community.

Sternberg said the proposal wasn't specific enough to allow the team to move forward.

"We are not close at all to a workable framework," Sternberg said.

The Rays have called Tropicana Field home since its first season in 1998. It has an agreement with the City of St. Petersburg to remain at Tropicana until 2027. However, the team's management said the stadium isn't adequate for its needs.

Today's announcement put a damper on the excitement following the Rays' press conference in July in which the team's management unveiled plans for a stadium in Ybor City.

Nevertheless, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, the county's representative on the Tampa Sports Authority, said he's still hopeful of striking a deal to relocate the Rays to Hillsborough County.

"I still remain extremely optimistic," he said.

In the meantime, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is hoping to revive interest in rebuilding a stadium at Tropicana Field that will suit the team's needs.

"I've always said from day one that Tropicana Field gave them the best chance of long-term success," he said.

See related stories:

Tampa Bay Rays Owner Endorses Tampa Site For New Ballpark

Rays Reveal Design Of Proposed Ybor City Ballpark

Decision On Building Stadium In Ybor City Now Rests With Rays

Image via Tampa Bay Rays

Stu Sternberg

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