Tension in Tampa Bay: The End of the Stu Sternberg Era?
Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg is under pressure from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and fellow owners to sell the team due to stadium issues and potential relocation concerns.
The Tampa Bay Rays‘ situation has reached a critical point. Team owner Stu Sternberg is facing increasing pressure from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and several franchise owners to sell the team. The main issue stems from the inability to secure a new stadium in St. Petersburg, leading to mounting frustration within the league’s leadership.
In September 2023, the Rays announced plans to build a $1.3 billion stadium on the current Tropicana Field site, which sustained major damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. The new stadium, designed with a fixed roof and 30,000-seat capacity, was part of a $6.5 billion redevelopment project aimed at revitalizing the Historic Gas Plant District, featuring residential, office, and commercial spaces.
However, the project has faced significant setbacks. After the hurricane damage, the Rays were forced to play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the New York Yankees‘ minor league complex, as Tropicana Field was deemed unfit for use.
Additionally, strained relations between Sternberg and local authorities have delayed the approval of bonds needed to finance the new stadium. The Pinellas County Commission postponed its funding decision, citing concerns over the team’s financial commitment and the impact of recent hurricanes.
The uncertainty has led MLB to explore alternative options. Cities such as Nashville and Portland have been mentioned as potential relocation destinations, further pressuring Sternberg to resolve the situation or sell the franchise.
Among potential buyers, the family of Edward DeBartolo Jr., with ties to Tampa and ownership of the San Francisco 49ers, and Joe Molloy, former minority owner of the New York Yankees, have expressed interest in acquiring the Rays and continuing the stadium project in St. Petersburg.
The deadline for Sternberg to meet certain stadium-related commitments is March 31, 2025. If these obligations are not fulfilled, the agreement could collapse, increasing the likelihood of a sale or relocation.
The Tampa Bay Rays are at a crossroads. The combination of stadium struggles, MLB pressure, and strong interest from potential buyers could mark the end of the Sternberg era and the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise.
Source: mlbtraderumors.com