News Summary

The Major League Baseball owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays for $1.7 billion, led by Patrick Zalupski. This move aims to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area amid repairs and uncertainty about Tropicana Field, which is undergoing extensive restoration following Hurricane Milton. Mayor Jane Castor has expressed optimism about the team’s future as the city invests in repairing the stadium. The Rays remain contractually obligated to stay until at least 2028, even as discussions about their long-term stadium plans continue.

Tampa

The sale of the Tampa Bay Rays for $1.7 billion has been unanimously approved by Major League Baseball owners. The sale is set to close soon and is led by Patrick Zalupski of Dream Finders Homes, who aims to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area. Zalupski has a net worth of $1.4 billion and brings a fresh perspective to team ownership.

Alongside the ownership transition, the future of Tropicana Field remains uncertain due to extensive damage from Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, which struck in October 2024. The City of Tampa’s efforts to repair the stadium are ongoing, with projected costs exceeding $55 million for roof repairs alone, and a possible total reaching $75 million when accounting for additional infrastructure updates.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor expressed optimism regarding the Rays’ future on social media, indicating that the city’s leadership is committed to revitalizing the team’s home stadium in the wake of the hurricane damage. Current owner Stu Sternberg, who has owned the Rays since 2005 after purchasing the team for approximately $200 million, will be passing the baton amidst discussions regarding the team’s local presence and stadium commitments.

Current Stadium Repairs and Plans

In April 2025, the City Council voted to commence repairs on Tropicana Field’s damaged roof, with plans for completion by the 2026 baseball season. As of now, six out of 24 roof panels have been installed, with expectations to have eight panels up by the end of the week. The lead contractor for the project, AECOM Hunt, is working with subcontractor BMS Cat to ensure proper cleaning and preservation efforts are made following the storm.

Additionally, ongoing storm monitoring is being conducted by the City Council to address any further damage, particularly after a recent storm in August that deposited four inches of rain. The extent of the repairs will not only cover roofing but will also include updates to flooring, walls, and audio-visual systems, which all contribute to the estimated expenses.

Future of the Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays concluded the 2025 season with a 76-80 record and were eliminated from postseason contention while temporarily playing at Steinbrenner Field due to the unavailability of Tropicana Field. The city maintains that the Rays are contractually bound to stay until at least 2028, as their existing agreement stipulates that each year the stadium is unusable extends this period. This provision addresses the fallout from previous failed plans for a new stadium in locations including downtown St. Petersburg, Ybor City in Tampa, and Al Lang Stadium.

The city council is mindful of the public investment in the repairs despite the Rays’ prior withdrawal from a proposed deal for a new $1.3 billion stadium on the Trop site. Councilmember Richie Floyd has emphasized the necessity of safeguarding city interests, irrespective of ownership changes and uncertainties about the stadium’s future.

The city is currently collaborating with FEMA and risk management authorities for potential reimbursements related to the extensive repairs. However, concerns over potential cost escalations due to unforeseen storm damage remain a priority for the council as they work to ensure the stadium’s readiness for the upcoming baseball seasons.

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Additional Resources

• St. Pete Catalyst: Trop Repairs Remain on Schedule
• The Center Square: Florida Article on Tropicana Field
• ESPN: St. Petersburg to Spend $225M on Tropicana Field Roof
• Fox 13 News: Tropicana Field Repairs Approved
• St. Peterising: St. Pete Pushes Forward on Tropicana Field Repairs
• Wikipedia: Tropicana Field
• Google Search: Tropicana Field repairs
• Google Scholar: Tropicana Field repairs
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Tropicana Field
• Google News: Tropicana Field

Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER

ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.