At worst, they might turn their attention to the Las Vegas Rays.
The Tampa Bay Rays have canceled plans to build a new ballpark in St. Petersburg, claiming Pinellas County is not planning to build one. Secure public bonds in October.
The Rays sent a letter to county commissioners saying they have halted plans to build a new stadium, as well as revitalize the gas plant area. (Related: Pirates' Paul Skeens, Yankees' Lewis Gil win 2024 Rookie of the Year)
“We worked for decades and spent more than $50 million to bring this historic project, a project approved by the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, to reality,” the Rays said in a statement. Now, significant investments of human and financial capital are at risk due to the county's non-fulfillment of the July agreement. ”
But that's not all, the Rays also informed St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and the county administrator that “the county's failure to finalize the bond last month has eliminated the possibility of delivering the ballpark in 2028.” Ta. As we have made clear at each stage of this process, achieving large-scale deliveries in 2029 will result in significant cost increases that we cannot absorb on our own. ”
#breaking news: The Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a new stadium deal and plans to redevelop St. Petersburg's historic Gas Works District. https://t.co/vzkykgZHEn pic.twitter.com/6LtKL0F6c2
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) November 19, 2024
Wow: This is the letter Rays leaders are handing to county commissioners ahead of an important afternoon meeting regarding the future of the stadium contract.
They claim the delay in the vote 'put in jeopardy' the original agreement. pic.twitter.com/scRxUTs79g
— Aaron Parseghian WTSP (@AaronParseghian) November 19, 2024
Considering the fact that Las Vegas Stadium is funded; Can be used by any team (The Athletics aren't the only ones.) And this isn't the first time Tampa Bay has battled the government, so there's a good chance they'll turn to the Las Vegas Rays once the smoke clears.
Talk about a turning point in events.
