Less than two months remain "until the window closes" on a three-year agreement between the Rays and the city of St. Petersburg for the team to explore ballpark options in Tampa, according to Christopher O'Donnell of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. However, team officials and city leaders have "yet to publicly reveal how the community would help pay" almost $900M to move the club to a new proposed ballpark in Ybor City. With local elections "out of the way, negotiations between the team and city and county officials on a ballpark financing plan are expected to kick into high gear." But it is "unclear if an agreement will emerge" before Dec. 31, the deadline for the team to give St. Petersburg "notice if it will take up a clause in its exploration agreement" that would allow it to leave Tropicana Field before its lease runs out in '27. Hillsborough County (Fla.) Administrator Mike Merrill said that he is "optimistic that a deal can be struck." However, Merrill on Friday "canceled the regularly scheduled updates he gives to county commissioners until he has something substantial to tell them." The exploration agreement's deadline "could be a major stumbling block since it doesn't have any language specifically authorizing an extension" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/14).
IMMINENT INTRODUCTIONS: In Tampa, Alexis Muellner noted the Tampa Bay Rays 2020 group will hold a press conference Friday to "update the public on its progress" and "share details about the expansion of its leadership groups." The organization will introduce the co-chairs of five leadership committees who have "agreed to spearhead a broader effort to keep the Rays in Tampa Bay." An 11-person Friends of the Rays steering committee also will be "named at the event" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/14).
