PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The response from Ken Welch, the St. Petersburg mayor, was cordial and respectful. In keeping a very public and low-key profile, the mayor simply told reporters on March 13 he was disappointed that the Tampa Bay Rays’ $1.3 billion stadium deal for the Gas Plant district imploded, and the Rays have now walked away from the deal.
Rays’ president Stu Sternberg, in a social media posting, said the team could not advance the $700 million needed to move the stadium project forward. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he cited two October hurricanes last year and delays in the bond approval process that forced the Rays into the decision.
In keeping that calm profile, Welch tried to minimize the damage. In reality, there is now a healthy dose of “bad blood” between Sternberg and local governmental officials. In addition to Welch, the Rays’ decision generated fury and indignation from Pinellas County commissioners who likely felt betrayed and deceived.
In response to the Rays’ decision, Welch said the city was finished dealing with Sternberg and the current Rays’ administration. Should new ownership of the franchise emerge, Welch said he, and the city, are prepared to revitalize the stadium project in the Gas Plant district.
In a matter of moments after the Rays walked away, the Tampa Bay Times reported the team floated an idea of major renovations to Tropicana Field and a 30-year commitment to the site. Immediately, Welch shot back and pointed out the intention of the original plan was not simply the renovation of an aging stadium but the revitalization of an area, which was promised change and a charged economic fusion as long as 40 years ago.
While the input from community and business is mandatory for this to happen, Chris Steinocher of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce told The Times, “I do believe those conversations will happen as everybody calms down. Emotions are so raw right now, I think we could all use a timeout. At some point, we can open the door to when and how a plan like this might work. I know some people might see it as letting (the Rays) off the hook, but the bigger issue is keeping baseball here and keeping the team as a community asset.”
All of which has left the Tampa Bay community frustrated, exhausted and bewildered. Welch, for one, said he has no trust in the current Rays’ management and appears as exasperated as any involved in this protracted scenario.
One thing may be certain. If the sheared roof of Tropicana Field is repaired in time for the 2026 season, the Rays would have a commitment to play through the 2028 season. Then, the guessing game begins.
At this point, the detail to watch is Sternberg’s adamant position, as of now, not to sell the team. Reports continue to circulate that local community and business leaders, as well as baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, continue to pressure Sternberg to unload the franchise.
If that does not happen and sands slide through the Tropicana Field hourglass within three years, a sorcerer may not be able to predict any outcome.
For now, the Rays are committed to George Steinbrenner Field, the spring home of the New York Yankees, for the 2025 championship season. Should the Trop be repaired and measured to major league standards for play, then the team has that obligation for the next three years.
Beyond that, the call to sell the team will likely intensify and suitors from hungry baseball cities, like Nashville, Porland and Indianapolis could appear as carpetbaggers did in the South after the Civil War more than a century and one-half ago.
