Menu
Facilities

Rays' Stuart Sternberg Says Finding Ballpark Site Complicated, But Still Confident In Deal

Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg on Thursday revealed some complications in his team's search for a new ballpark, but said that he is "still confident they will find a new home in the Tampa Bay area," according to a front-page piece by Topkin, Contorno, Frago & Danielson of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. What were the Rays' top five choices for a new ballpark -- three in Tampa and two in St. Petersburg -- now "are unavailable." The news may "push the team's time line for finding a new site" from August to the end of '17. Sternberg: "We had some ideas on locations that just weren't available, that I thought would have worked perfectly, but they're off the table. So we're sort of moving down our list to Nos. 2, 3 and 4." Sternberg said that the team "doesn't know if it will find what he has previously described as a 'pin-perfect' site." Later, he "clarified his stance, saying he remained optimistic" the team can find a ballpark in the area. Sternberg: "It's highly likely there will be a workable site." Sternberg said the search process is "not being done in a vacuum'' and involves participation and cooperation from land owners, local officials and MLB, which he updates through Commissioner Rob Manfred (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/24). In Tampa, Marc Topkin reports Rays ticket sales to this point "don't indicate an increase in attendance, as the Rays have tried what Sternberg termed 'a bit gimmicky' approach with specials and sponsorships." However, Sternberg "believes they offer reasonable prices and a good fan experience, and is confident a winning team would boost the majors-worst crowds" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/24).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/03/24/Facilities/Rays-Ballpark.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/03/24/Facilities/Rays-Ballpark.aspx

CLOSE