The major baseball league commissioner Rob Manfred admitted that, although Tropicana Field should be ready for the 2026 season, the long -term house of Tampa Bay Rays remains uncertain.
The municipal council of Saint Petersburg, Florida, voted in April to approve $ 22.5 million for a new fiberglass roof coated in teflon to replace that shredded by Hurricane Milton in October. Manfred said on Wednesday that the goal was that Rays play in Tropicana’s field on opening day or near next season.
The team plays this season’s home games at the Yankees spring training center, George Mr. Steinbrenner Field. However, Rays are on average 9,850 MLB-Low fans, adding an additional wrinkle to resolve the long-term regional franchise parameters.
The team in March has moved away from an agreement with the city and the County of Pinellas to build a stadium of $ 1.3 billion, saying that he could not go ahead because of the offbeat schedule of the project and cost exceedations.
“The great possibility (for next year) is what is happening with the hurricanes season (2025). There is not much that you can do it on top of this to keep your fingers crossed,” said Manfred. “In the long term, they will honor their lease (at Tropicana Field) until 2028, but I have nothing to add beyond.”
The city was contractually forced to provide the shelves with a playable home, and the council voted 7-1 in April for the new fiberglass roof despite the concerns.
“I prefer to spend this money from the recovery of hurricanes and help residents in our most affected neighborhoods,” said the member of the Brandi Gabbard council at Tampa Bay Times, “but this is our obligation.”
A community discussion led by the Tampa Bay Times earlier this week has discussed the future of the gas factory district – where Tropicana Field is – now that the new stadium agreement is dead. Among the ideas raised were additional hotel spaces, a park or a similar area in Boston Common in New England.
– field level media
