RANT SPORTS – During the summer, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred believed that both the Tampa Bay Rays and the newly relocated Las Vegas Athletics were close to securing new stadium deals, which would allow him to consider expansion. However, both teams have encountered significant obstacles in finalizing these deals, casting doubt on the future of their stadium projects in St. Petersburg and Las Vegas as winter approaches.
The Rays act of God and political grandstanding problems
After more than 17 years of exploring stadium options in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, a deal was struck on a sunny day in late July 2024. The City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the Rays agreed to establish a new home as part of a $6.5 billion redevelopment project known as The Gas Light District. This project will feature retail stores, restaurants, condos, and commercial office space, transforming the current Tropicana Field site into a vibrant St. Petersburg destination, with an opening slated for the 2027 baseball season.
The agreement reached by all parties began with Pinellas County allocating approximately $312.5 million for the new ballpark, while the city of St. Petersburg would contribute around $417 million, including infrastructure improvements. The Rays, along with their partner Hines development company, would be responsible for the remaining expenses, including any cost overruns. The deal was approved by the Pinellas County Commission in July with a 5-2 vote. The only detail remaining was the scheduled final vote by Pinellas County in November to authorize the bond issuance, allowing the Rays and the Gas Light project to begin.
Hurricane damage sets club back
The Tampa Bay Rays have announced that the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, which ripped the roof off Tropicana Field, along with political financing delays, make it highly unlikely that the team’s proposed new stadium will be ready for the 2028 season, if at all. The November election brought in two new very conservative members to the commission, who oppose the Rays’ stadium project, casting doubt on what previously seemed promising. arrangement.
The addition of the new commissioners, alongside the two existing members, could shift what was a 5-2 vote by the group in July for funding the project to a 4-3 tossup. The outcome could swing in either direction with a new date for the vote is anticipated at the upcoming December 17th meeting.
The Rays organization is saddened and stunned by this unfortunate turn of events” said the letter, signed by co-presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, who noted that the overall project was previously approved by the County Commission and the City of St. Petersburg. “As we have made clear at every step of this process, a 2029 ballpark delivery would result in significantly higher costs that we are not able to absorb alone,” the letter added.
The A’s Las Vegas Gamble still a problem
The Athletics’ tenure in Oakland has concluded, and they are set to temporarily relocate to Sacramento. Fans and commentators attribute the move to John Fisher, arguing that he could have remained in the East Bay had he desired. Their partial desire for Fisher to divest from the team appears to be materializing, as The New York Post reports that Fisher is considering selling a 25% stake in the Athletics prior to their transition to Las Vegas.
In November 2024, Nevada lawmakers ratified the official agreement for the Oakland A’s relocation to Las Vegas. Major League Baseball team owners had unanimously agreed to the move in November of 2023. The required arrangements with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority were finalized this month. Similar to Tampa Bay, there are potential obstacles that local lawmakers could present to challenge the deal, and like the Rays, what once seemed like a done deal could still fall apart.
Both teams are set to play the 2024 season in minor league parks while their new stadium are in place
The A’s plan to build a new $1.5 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, with construction set to begin in April 2025 and completion expected by January 2028. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some excitement about bringing MLB to Las Vegas and others concerned about the impact on Oakland fans and the local economy.
Both teams will play in minor league ball parks this season
Major League Baseball, along with the Rays and the Yankees, have reached an agreement allowing Tampa Bay to play this season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Bronx Bombers’ winter home in Tampa. Among all the stadiums in the area, including the Phillies’ home in Clearwater and the Jays’ winter home in Dunedin, which are both charming sites, the Tampa location presents fewer challenges in meeting Major League standards.
Sutter Health Park is set to host both the A’s and the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, over the next three seasons. That means Bay Area fans from Oakland will continue to enjoy the cherished tradition of Minor League Baseball. The team will make Sacramento their home for the upcoming season through 2028.
Can the deals be saved?
As of today, it appears that the Rays are likely to agree on a revised deal that will retain the team in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, the A’s and Las Vegas are still resolving some challenging issues. Although there is confidence that it will be completed, finalizing the agreement may take longer than initially anticipated to dot the “I’s” and cross the “T’s.”
Why relocation remains a problem with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is considering new cities capable of supporting an expansion team, which would potentially bring about $3 billion of new revenue to the league. For those hoping to see the Rays or the A’s relocate, it may seem promising in theory, but it is unlikely to significantly increase the league’s revenue from the targeted cities.
Case in point In order for the Athletics to avoid paying MLB an estimated $300 million relocation fee for moving from Oakland to Las Vegas, they would need an “acceptable” public-private partnership in place. If the A’s could to Las Vegas without playing MLB a penny.
You don’t need to be a mathematics expert to figure out that zero is far less than the $3 billion a new franchise could bring to the league. Therefore, despite the saber-rattling in both of the Bay Area’s MLB teams, they will remain in place until there is no other choice.
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
