There are a lot of things going on here. They initially voted to approve the plan to repair the roof. Then Brian Auld said this,” Our certainty is actually greater if the decision is made not to repair Tropicana Field, because I don’t believe we’re going to have a firm answer on whether it can be done for a very long time,” Auld said. “Based on the conversations we’ve had with our engineers, I believe we’re looking at a ‘26 situation where the city is trying to have the stadium ready, and we have to make alternative plans, and all the costs that come with that, that is more problematic for us. That’s why we’ve been working on trying to get to a settlement.”
The Rays don’t believe that the Trop can be fixed in time for the 2026 season and are trying to get a settlement instead. So, there are lots of moving parts here between the Rays, County, and City.
Whenever I’m in Tampa, it’s crazy to me that the Tarpons/Yanks spring training has prime real-estate in the city across from Raymond James and the Rays are stuck in a shithole way out. It just seems like the city and government there have no interest in having the team.
I’ve been to the Tampa Bay area a handful of times this past decade but refused to go to the Trop cause I wanted to save it for when the Rays got a new park.
Last year I went to the coliseum cause I decided I might as well go even if the park wasn’t good, and figured I’d go to the Trop in the next couple years before it closes.
Looks like I missed my chance for good. Smh. Even if I hated that park (I swear it was cursed for the Jays) it would’ve nice to have an additional park on my list.
I hope I can still go to an MLB park in the area one day.
This is one of the few situations where I’m actually sympathetic to a team moving away, if not the first time. Everything I’ve read about the Rays’ situation/location has been a negative, unless someone wants to school me.
Curious question: if Tropicana Field is rebuilt for the 2026 season, do the Rays have to play there under their lease, or are the Rays free agents if they can’t play there for a year?
they should’ve fixed it faster than the take back.
I’m sure the Rays ownership could figure out how to pay $50-60 million for the repairs without help from the city but if the plan for the new stadium is dead or close to dead, then the Rays paying to repair Tropicana makes no sense. At this point, they need to seriously consider relocating to a new city. It would be cheaper to pay the Yankees $45-60 million to play at Steinbrenner Field for the next 3-4 years while they get a new Stadium built in a different city that actually wants an MLB team.
Tropicana was arguably the worst stadium in major American sports before the damage, their attendance was incredibly low, and the new City government of St. Petersburg City seems to outright not want them. I feel bad for the Rays fans. This off season has been a terrible turn of events for them, but the reality for the team is that the team needs to think about finding a forever home. Not just about next season or the season after that.
We’re still recovering from two hurricanes, Stu can piss off and leave for all I care. I was a Braves fan before I was a Rays fan so I guess I’ll be a Braves fan again
Tampa pulled the same shit my parents did to me.
Do the Rays put any money into repairing anything? It seems all the benefits come to the club and all the costs land with local residents.
Sternberger should present the pitch as if he’s the Buccaneers or the Lightning and asking for the Ship or the Cloud.
That will get the funds secured immediately.
I took a trip with a buddy to St Pete this year to see a Rays game. It was the last stadium he had to visit, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Trop. The place gets shit on but I had a great time.
Anyways can’t wait to root for the Salt Lake City Rays.
16 comments
SYKE TAMPA, YOU THOUGHT
The Rays can’t spare 23M?
There are a lot of things going on here. They initially voted to approve the plan to repair the roof. Then Brian Auld said this,” Our certainty is actually greater if the decision is made not to repair Tropicana Field, because I don’t believe we’re going to have a firm answer on whether it can be done for a very long time,” Auld said. “Based on the conversations we’ve had with our engineers, I believe we’re looking at a ‘26 situation where the city is trying to have the stadium ready, and we have to make alternative plans, and all the costs that come with that, that is more problematic for us. That’s why we’ve been working on trying to get to a settlement.”
The Rays don’t believe that the Trop can be fixed in time for the 2026 season and are trying to get a settlement instead. So, there are lots of moving parts here between the Rays, County, and City.
Whenever I’m in Tampa, it’s crazy to me that the Tarpons/Yanks spring training has prime real-estate in the city across from Raymond James and the Rays are stuck in a shithole way out. It just seems like the city and government there have no interest in having the team.
I’ve been to the Tampa Bay area a handful of times this past decade but refused to go to the Trop cause I wanted to save it for when the Rays got a new park.
Last year I went to the coliseum cause I decided I might as well go even if the park wasn’t good, and figured I’d go to the Trop in the next couple years before it closes.
Looks like I missed my chance for good. Smh. Even if I hated that park (I swear it was cursed for the Jays) it would’ve nice to have an additional park on my list.
I hope I can still go to an MLB park in the area one day.
This is one of the few situations where I’m actually sympathetic to a team moving away, if not the first time. Everything I’ve read about the Rays’ situation/location has been a negative, unless someone wants to school me.
Curious question: if Tropicana Field is rebuilt for the 2026 season, do the Rays have to play there under their lease, or are the Rays free agents if they can’t play there for a year?
they should’ve fixed it faster than the take back.
I’m sure the Rays ownership could figure out how to pay $50-60 million for the repairs without help from the city but if the plan for the new stadium is dead or close to dead, then the Rays paying to repair Tropicana makes no sense. At this point, they need to seriously consider relocating to a new city. It would be cheaper to pay the Yankees $45-60 million to play at Steinbrenner Field for the next 3-4 years while they get a new Stadium built in a different city that actually wants an MLB team.
Tropicana was arguably the worst stadium in major American sports before the damage, their attendance was incredibly low, and the new City government of St. Petersburg City seems to outright not want them. I feel bad for the Rays fans. This off season has been a terrible turn of events for them, but the reality for the team is that the team needs to think about finding a forever home. Not just about next season or the season after that.
We’re still recovering from two hurricanes, Stu can piss off and leave for all I care. I was a Braves fan before I was a Rays fan so I guess I’ll be a Braves fan again
Tampa pulled the same shit my parents did to me.
Do the Rays put any money into repairing anything?
It seems all the benefits come to the club and all the costs land with local residents.
Sternberger should present the pitch as if he’s the Buccaneers or the Lightning and asking for the Ship or the Cloud.
That will get the funds secured immediately.
I took a trip with a buddy to St Pete this year to see a Rays game. It was the last stadium he had to visit, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Trop. The place gets shit on but I had a great time.
Anyways can’t wait to root for the Salt Lake City Rays.