ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg is facing growing pressure from Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and some other owners to sell the team, according to a report from The Athletic.
Sternberg has been under the microscope as the team continues on an on-again, off-again deal to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg. The Rays agreed to build a stadium, but since then questions have arisen about the Rays' intentions.
According to The Athletic's report, Sternberg was reached for comment on the report and said, "I'm interested to read about what industry partners have told you about our franchise and its future."
Previous Coverage:
- Rays fans ready to call Steinbrenner Field home
- Rays fans react to uncertainty around Tropicana repairs
- Rays say they expect St. Petersburg to rebuild Tropicana Field
- After weeks of uncertainty, Pinellas County approves Rays deal funding
- Stadium prices skyrocketing as Rays wait for new ballpark
The Rays have had stadium issues for years, but Hurricane Milton exacerbated them. The storm tore the roof off Tropicana Field, forcing the team to move its regular-season games to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Several key dates for the Rays and the stadium deal are rapidly approaching, including one that is just three weeks away as of Monday.
Sternberg and the Rays must meet financial payments by March 31 for the stadium deal with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. To this point, the Rays have not given any signal about what the team will do.
From the team's perspective, a temporarily delayed vote on bonds extended the stadium construction, which added extra costs to the deal.
The Rays have said that money is the county/city responsibility, though the municipal governments disagree.
Major League Baseball could step in to give the Rays a reason to sell by changing how much money they get from different sources, including revenue sharing (though that would have to wait until a new collective bargaining agreement in late 2026).
According to The Athletic, the DeBartolo family with Joe Molloy, and Dan Doyle, Jr. have all expressed interest in the team.
Malloy told the Tampa Bay Times, “The team has plans to stay in St. Petersburg, and we are fully committed to building on the great work that the city and county have already accomplished. We are incredibly excited about this opportunity, and that’s all I can share at this time.”
Tampa Attorney Carter McCain confirmed to ABC Action News he represents a group also interested in buying the Rays. He said the group he represents has local minority ownership led by someone who is in the office of the Major League Baseball Commissioner.
“I respect Stu Sternberg, he is the owner and he has the right to call the shots because its his asset. It’s not our asset," said McCain. "When and to the extent there is a time for discussion, we’re ready to go to the table. We would like it to be sooner as opposed to later.”
He said they are looking at both sides of the bay but their plan includes much more than just a new baseball stadium.
“This is going to be an entertainment destination complex with a hotel, with probably an outdoor music venue, with many other types of commercial activities, that’s going to be open 360 days a year," he said. "Is it a larger financial commitment? It absolutely is a larger financial commitment. But it makes the financial footprint work.”
ABC Action News' evening producer asked McCain if their group would be open to letting fans own a piece of the franchise.
“Personally, I think it’s a wonderful idea. I think it would be wonderful if we were able to give 2 or 3 or 4 percent to for local communities to buy into that," he said. "Especially if local government participates in any part in funding a complex. Let’s put it on the table and let’s give you credit for that.”
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch sent a statement, “If the current owner decides to sell the franchise, we will work diligently and cooperatively with any new owner.”
Welch adds the city is prepared to also follow the timeline agreed to in the contracts for the current stadium deal on the table.
"I learned that we are strong as a team, as a department."
Pasco first responders reflected on difficult, but rewarding work six months after Hurricane Milton.
