There’s increasing pressure on Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the team, especially with uncertainty surrounding a stadium deal in St. Petersburg. As of March 2025, MLB officials are pushing for a resolution. Will Sternberg sell the team or find a way to keep it in the area?
- Pressure mounts for Rays owner to sell
- MLB may reduce Rays' revenue-sharing income
- Joe Molloy leads interested buyer group
- Sternberg faces stadium deal deadline
- Rays' stadium plans delayed for 17 years
- Team disputes funding responsibility for stadium
Pressure Mounts on Rays Owner Stu Sternberg to Sell the Team
What does the future hold for the Tampa Bay Rays? As MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and other owners urge Sternberg to consider selling, the stakes are high. The Rays have struggled to secure a new stadium, and time is running out. With a decision due soon, fans are left wondering about the team’s future.
Local Investors Eager to Buy the Tampa Bay Rays
Several local groups are eyeing the Rays, including a consortium led by Joe Molloy, a former Yankees minority owner. This group is committed to keeping the team in St. Petersburg and continuing the plans for a new stadium. Here are some key points:
- Molloy leads a team of Tampa Bay investors interested in acquiring the Rays.
- The group aims to follow through with the proposed stadium project in St. Petersburg.
- Edward DeBartolo Jr.’s family, owners of the San Francisco 49ers, is reportedly involved.
- Dan Doyle Jr. is also part of another interested group.
Stadium Deal and Its Implications for the Rays
The Rays have been pursuing a new stadium for 17 years, but delays have complicated matters. With Hurricane Milton damaging Tropicana Field, the team will need to play elsewhere this year. Sternberg has until the end of March to finalize plans for the new stadium, which has become a contentious issue. What will happen if he fails to meet the deadline?
MLB’s Role in the Future of the Rays
MLB is considering reducing the Rays’ revenue-sharing income if a long-term solution isn’t reached. This could pressure Sternberg to either sell the team or expedite the stadium deal. Fans are anxious as the league’s actions could significantly impact the team’s financial stability and future in the area.
As the situation unfolds, Tampa Bay Rays fans must stay tuned to see how these developments will shape the team’s future. Will a new owner bring fresh hope, or will the current ownership find a way to resolve the stadium issue? Only time will tell.
