Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Relocation Talks: St. Pete vs. Tampa

Rays Exploring Stadium Site in Tampa

• ⚾ The Tampa Bay Rays are actively pursuing a stadium site option with Hillsborough College, located off Del Marry, potentially relocating from St. Petersburg.
• 📍 This move would mean the team playing on the Tampa side of the Bay, marking the second time they would play ball in Tampa.

St. Petersburg Business Concerns

• 📉 A local business owner, Mark Ferguson, expressed concerns about the potential economic impact, noting a 30% drop in business during the summer when baseball is absent.
• 🗣️ Ferguson believes that the tax burden on taxpayers in Tampa might be too high, considering the needs of other local teams like the Buccaneers and the hockey team.

Hillsborough County Commissioner's Perspective

• ✅ Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Lvala views the relocation talks as good news for Rays fans and sports fans in the Tampa Bay area.
• 📍 He stated that both Pinellas County (where St. Pete is located) and Tampa will be fine, drawing a parallel to why the Lightning and Buccaneers play in Tampa and people visit Pinellas for the beaches.

St. Pete Mayor's Stance and Future Outlook

• 🤝 St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch is continuing discussions with the Rays, including extending the current stadium use agreement past 2028.
• 🏗️ Mayor Welch's greater strategic priority is the redevelopment of the historic gas plant district.
• ⏳ None of the relocation plans are finalized, and the Rays will continue playing at Tropicana Field for the upcoming opening day.