Tampa Bay Rays -owner Stunberg is reportedly confronted with an increased pressure to sell the franchise of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and other owners, according to The athletics.
MLB could even try to remove part of the income exchange of the Rays to try to force a sale according to the report. The rays currently receive $ 60 million in sharing income. The reported reason for the pressure is related to Sternberg who is considering going back from a stadium deal.
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A general picture of the stadium for a competition between the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays on Tropicana Field. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-usa Today Sports)
Until the end of this month, Sternberg has to decide whether they will continue with the new stadium deal in the historic Gasfabriek District in the center of St. Petersburg, Florida.
The rays have been trying to build a new stadium for 17 years and the urgency to tackle the problem rose last fall after Hurricane Milton has torn the roof of their current location, Tropicana Field. The team plays their 2025 home games in the spring training facility of the Rival New York Yankees.
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View of the damaged roof of Tropicana Field Stadium, the home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, after Hurricane Milton landed on 10 October 2024, in the center of St. Petersburg, Florida. (Reuters/Octavio Jones)
The Rays and Sternberg were previously planning to contribute $ 700 million to a new stadium. However, a delayed vote from the province led to a share in construction and therefore increased costs, so Sternberg does not believe that he and his team should have the subsequent costs.
The Pinellas County Commission has postponed a vote on its share in the new stadium bonds in November, leaving that project in Limbo.
Potential candidates to buy the rays when Sternberg is pushed to sell are former Yankees minority owner Joe Molloy.
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Tampa Bay Rays Head owner Stuart Sternberg and manager Kevin Cash Watch While pitchers hold their first spring training training in Port Charlotte, Florida, on 12 February 2025, in Charlotte Sports Park. Hurricane Milton tears the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, where the rays usually play their regular season matches. This year they play their regular seasonal home games in the New York Yankees Spring Training Stadium, Steinbrenner Field, where 11,000 people take place. (Thomas O’Neill/Nurphoto)
Molloy confirmed his interest in the Tamp Bay Times.
“Yes, I lead a group prominent in Tampa Bay -based investors who are interested in acquiring the Tampa Bay Rays. We have put together an incredible team that shares our vision,” Molloy said the outlet.
Tampa -Kakenman Dan Doyle Jr. Also is part of another group that is interested in the rays, according to the report.
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