Rays fans look forward to seeing them play in Tampa while Pinellas lawmakers could kill the new stadium deal

On Thursday afternoon, it was announced by the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees, and Major League Baseball that the Rays will play their 2025 regular season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. This arrangement, facilitated by Major League Baseball with the Yankees’ assistance, ensures that the Rays have a home park near their fanbase while Tropicana Field, which Hurricane Milton severely damaged, undergoes assessment and repairs. The Rays could potentially return to their St. Petersburg home by the 2026 season.

It was Major League Baseball’s call for Tampa

Although the Rays participated in the decision-making process for their temporary location during Tropicana Field’s renovations, they did not possess final say in the matter. The selection of a venue to host the Rays for the 2025 season necessitated Major League Baseball (MLB) approval. The league readily approved the Tampa Bay Rays’ move to Steinbrenner Field for the 2024 season, as it is the largest and most major-league-like park in the Bay Area.

Will Pinellas County Leaders kill the deal because the Rays are playing Tampa

As the MLB relocates the team to Tampa, political tensions rise, potentially complicating a critical meeting. The Pinellas County Commission must decide on issuing bonds to fund their $312 million share of the new Rays stadium. This pivotal vote is essential to secure the financing and prevent the stadium agreement from collapsing. Notably, this commission previously advanced the project in a 5-2 vote in July, a decision once considered a mere formality, now possibly facing contention.

Two newly elected Pinellas County Commissioners, Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer, who campaigned against the Rays deal, may disrupt the agreement when the county commission convenes to vote on Tuesday. These men could work together to form a new majority on the seven-member commission opposed to the deal, potentially derailing it entirely.

Two of the most vocal members of the commission thus have buyer’s remorse on the deal stuck last summer. I think that it’s unfortunate,” said Chris Latvala, who represents Commission District Five. “Our tourism has already suffered after the two hurricanes,” he continued. “The only reason they decided to stay in St. Petersburg was because St. Pete and Pinellas County was the only place that had the public funds to give them.”

Once again Latvala missed the point that it was a Major League Baseball choice as well as the Rays and in the end they went with Yankees. “In total, there’s going to be over $1 billion public funds dedicated from Pinellas residents to the Tampa Bay Rays, and the thank you that the Rays gave them was to play the games across the bridge in Hillsborough County,” he said

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch wants the deal done

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch adopted a decidedly optimistic tone, viewing the current Rays and Gas Light project as the centerpiece of his vision for the city. He is diligently ensuring that Pinellas County leaders honor the bond deal agreement made in July.

“The City is taking the necessary steps and doing our due diligence to make repairs at Tropicana Field so that the Rays can return to St. Petersburg for the 2026 season,” he wrote in a statement.

To clarify, both the city and the county must issue the bonds by March 31, 2025. Should the county commission decide against it, the agreement made in July might collapse. The proposed $1.3 billion Rays stadium could be jeopardized, along with the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment project, which is valued at roughly $6.5 billion. This initiative aims to create affordable housing, a Black history museum, restaurants, bars, and other amenities.

Right now it looks like a close vote but one that the Rays will win in the end as the politics will give way to the fans who want this deal to pass. If the deal implodes then MLB and Rays could find themselves once again looking for a new stadium – but  most people involved with the deal are confident it will pass.

Could playing in Tampa win over lawmakers to keep the team in town if the Pinellas deal falls apart

However, with the Rays set to play at Steinbrenner Field in 2025, Tampa lawmakers will have the chance to observe the team’s integration into the community and the potential advantages it offers. The favorable response from fans and the positive impact on the local economy might sway the decision to retain the Rays in Tampa for the long term, should Pinellas County fail to secure the deal.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has conveyed her excitement for the Rays to play at Steinbrenner Field in 2024. She stated that the city is dedicated to retaining the Rays in the Tampa Bay region and is hopeful for the team’s prospects there in either Tampa or St. Petersburg.

Playing in a smaller park that offers fans the opportunity to watch a game in a more intimate setting could demonstrate to the Rays that a 25,000-seat stadium in Tampa might be a better fit. Additionally, considering the rain issues, they might manage with an outdoor stadium.