The Tampa Bay Rays are caught in the eye of a storm—literally and figuratively! After Hurricane Milton left their Tropicana Field unplayable, the team now headed to a temporary home. They are landing in on George M. Steinbrenner Field for the season. But let’s be real—this is just a short-term fix. The real question is where will the Rays play beyond that? Thinking about their shiny new stadium, is it? Well, they had a place with St. Petersburg to build a brand-new stadium. But the hurricane just threw everything off the track.

So the original 2028 opening got pushed to 2029. And now the franchise remains hesitant to take in the bill for the extra year needed for construction. St. Petersburg has done its part, but the Rays need to check off a list of obligations before the city’s public funding kicks off. March 31 is the deadline, and owner Stuart Sternberg is yet to commit to it, possibly holding for more help. The mayor of St. Pete placed the brunt of the issue on the Rays, and so did Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. However, insider Tricia Whitaker has a different take on the entire situation.

Stuart Sternberg continues to face pressure

Right now, several fans probably want the owner, Stuart Sternberg, to sell the team and leave. However, speaking to Ken Rosenthal, Whitaker gave a different picture, a more human picture, of the owner. First, she acknowledged the relationship between the Rays and St. Petersburg reached a boiling point; especially with public officials expressing their opinions. She also pointed out that getting a stadium deal in Tampa has proven difficult throughout the years. Hence, it casts doubts on whether just moving is a good fix.

Now fans, according to Whitaker, have every right to be frustrated. Whitaker pushed back on the harsh personal criticism pointed at Stuart Sternberg. He said at Foul Territory, “I think sometimes a lot of people give Stu a lot of grief… I did enjoy working with Stu.” Further, Whitaker added, “I think some of the personal attacks on Stu might not be totally warranted.” She made it clear that her past associations with the franchise do not dictate this opinion on Stuart Sternberg, though.

Finally, Whitaker understands the situation has been a rollercoaster ride for the fans who have been told the team is all into staying, only to feel like the rug has been pulled out in a jiffy from under them. The deadline is approaching, and the uncertainty still looms. Right now, the city wants nothing to do with the Rays, and the owner doesn’t want to sell. What a mess!

Sternberg refutes all sale rumors amid mayor’s fury

St. Petersburg’s mayor didn’t mince words to address the ongoing stadium issue. In his State of the City address, he mentioned the ball was in Rays’ court. “The only thing we need to move forward … is for the Rays to honor the agreement that we signed just six months ago.” Welch stated the situation still can be rectified, but he mentions the plan can only be successful if it’s a partnership effort. He made it clear that while he hoped for a solution, St. Pete wasn’t willing to push the deal forward at any cost. “We will not pursue the deal at any cost.”

He added a statement about how the city’s future doesn’t solely hang on this stadium deal. This sure might hurt the Rays owner. But with the clock ticking, the Tampa Bay Rays need to lock in their plans. Believe it or not, if the deal is voided and the March 31 deadline is missed, St. Pete will regain control of the land designated for the new stadium. At this point, anyone will question whether the owner is selling the team.

However, Stuart Sternberg has been firm in his footing; he isn’t ready to sell. “If it was (for sale), people would know it,” he told the Tampa Bay Times. Sternberg explained while rumors of local ownership have surfaced, it’s most likely because of the paused stadium talks. Plus, the team’s efforts to bring in investors to raise money for their portion of the ballpark’s $1.3 billion cost. He even admitted, though, that the talks with the investors are paused because of stadium bonds and could only resume if there is a thumbs up to go ahead.

Well, things definitely don’t look good right now. Do you think they would resolve by the deadline of March 31? Let us know!