In Tampa, Marc Topkin noted a rumor circulating states the Rays are "going to split home games" between Tropicana Field and Montreal. Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg spoke on whether he talked to a group trying to bring MLB back to Montreal and said, "I talk to people all the time. I'm not going to deny not speaking to them, speaking to them, other cities. People are always looking to talk to us. I don't go seek anybody out. ... I can't tell you how many times I get emails from people, 'I was in the game, would you meet with me ...' I try to generally avoid that stuff, and I do." Sternberg "reiterated he wants to keep the team 'for generations to come' in the Tampa Bay area" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/23).
FOLLOW THE LEADER: The Rangers are considering a "fan-friendly" concessions menu at Globe Life Field when it opens in '20. Rangers Exec VP/Business Operations Rob Matwick: "We've had preliminary discussions with (concessions provider) Delaware North-Sportservice on the Atlanta concept, but we're very early in those talks." A price cut on of "select concessions items would most certainly engender some positive vibes" about the new ballpark (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/25).
TOUGH FINAL STRETCH: MLS expansion club Inter Miami CF is "set to take the field for the first time" next year, but its "road is not without obstacles." The club is now "working on its fifth potential stadium site, with no assurances that this one will be the last, and is facing multiple lawsuits seeking to block the club's right to acquire the property." Inter Miami has been the "focus of a stream of legal action in recent months," but David Beckham has "placed confidence in his local partners to navigate the political and legal waters of South Florida" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/24).
