Friendly Enemies: Rays Stay In Tampa For ’25 Thanks To Yankees, Future In Doubt

By Barry Janoff

Photo: MLBUPDATED November 22, 2024: AP Sports: The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course.

The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo.

“This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed,” council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. “We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.”

The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy. (Full story here.)

UPDATED November 19, 2024: AP Sports: A combination of severe hurricane damage to Tropicana Field and political delays on financing means it is highly unlikely the Tampa Bay Rays' planned new stadium will be ready for the 2028 season, if at all.

Rays top executives said in a letter to the Pinellas County Commission that the team has already spent $50 million for early work on the new $1.3 billion ballpark and cannot proceed further because of delays in approval of bonds for the public share of the costs.

The Rays organization is saddened and stunned by this unfortunate turn of events" read he letter, signed by copresidents 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.” (Full story here.)

November 14, 2024: The Tampa Bay Rays, forced from their home stadium in 2025, now have a venue for the upcoming MLB season even as they anticipate moving into a completely new stadium in 2028.

The Rays said today they would play the 2025 regular season in George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa (pictured), the Spring Training home for division rival New York Yankees and home to the Yankees low-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons.

MLB will now have two teams playing in Minor League ballparks this coming season with the relocated A’s playing in 14,000-seat Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, sharing the venue with the River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

According to MLB, the Yankees and the Rays, Steinbrenner Field “was already undergoing renovations to improve its clubhouse and playing facilities. Recent projects include upgraded field lighting, expanded home locker room space, and improved training and rehabilitation capabilities.

“Additional improvements are expected to be made before the regular season to ensure fans continue to have a wonderful experience at Rays games.”

“This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed. We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.”

It is also the largest spring-training stadium in Florida with a capacity of approximately 11,000.

It has 12 private suites located on the third floor that can accommodate up to 20 people each.

The Rays Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg suffered damage from Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9 “and will not be available when the team opens the regular season in late March,” according to the team.

The Yankees will continue to play Spring Training games in Steinbrenner Field in 2025.

The Rays will continue to use Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla., for their Spring Training workouts and games.

“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,’’ Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said via the team.

“The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as Hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild.’’

The city of St. Petersburg owns Tropicana Field and is responsible for repairs.

Artist's Concept: Tampa Bay RaysThe Rays plan to move into their new $1.3 billion ballpark in 2028 as part of the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment and intend to break ground in January.

The stadium was approved by the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission.

According to a “Facility Damage Assessment and Remediation Recommendation Report” from Hennessy Construction Services sent to the city earlier this week, “Overall, (Tropicana Field) appears structurally sound and would be a viable candidate to continue to serve the City in providing continued service following hurricane damage repairs,” and can be repaired for about $55.7 million in time for the 2026 season.

A new roof would be the largest expense, about $23.6 million, according to the report.

“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a Major League-quality facility for them to utilize this season,’’ Hal Steinbrenner, Yankees managing general partner, said via the team.

“Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field.”

According to Steinbrenner, son of the late George Steinbrenner, “In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community — which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.’’

Dimensions in  George M. Steinbrenner Field, which opened in 1996, are 318 feet to left, 399 feet to left-center, 408 to center field, 385 feet to right-center and 314 to right field.

"In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community."

The 11,000 capacity is not far off from what the Rays have been drawing to 25,000-capacity Tropicana Field.

In 2024, the team’s total attendance was 1,337,739 and average attendance was 16,515, 28th among MLB’s 30 teams, down from the previous year's total of 17,781.

“Given the significant challenges caused by Hurricane Milton, I appreciate the hard work and collaboration between the two teams that allowed the Rays to make the best decision for next season," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said via the league.

"This outcome meets Major League Baseball’s goals that Rays’ fans will see their team play next season in their home market and that their players can remain home without disruption to their families.”

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