Tampa Bay Rays not moving forward with new stadium plans - ESPN

The Tampa Bay Rays, citing hurricanes and costly delays, will not proceed with the development of a $1.3 billion baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Thursday.

«After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,» Sternberg said in a statement. «A series of events beginning in October that no one could have anticipated led to this difficult decision.

»Our commitment to the vitality and success of the Rays organization is unwavering. We continue to focus on finding a ballpark solution that serves the best interests of our region, Major League Baseball, and our organization."

Under their current contract with the city of St. Petersburg, the Rays would play three more seasons at Tropicana Field after it is repaired from significant damage sustained in October — when the roof was shredded during Hurricane Milton — rendering the stadium unplayable in 2025.

Beyond that, the team's future in the Tampa Bay area is uncertain.

«Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community,» MLB said in a statement. «Commissioner [Rob] Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today's announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club's future in the Tampa Bay region.»

The proposal to build the 30,000-seat stadium to replace outdated Tropicana Field as the signature piece in a $6.5 billion revitalization of the Historic Gas Plant District was met with excitement last summer when the team and public officials announced the