This year marked the second time in franchise history the Rays made it to the World SeriesGETTY IMAGES
The financial impact of the '20 pandemic altered season on the Rays "will be felt not just in 2021 (with the team payroll expected to go down), but over several seasons," according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg said, "It’s going to be three to five years to where we’re able to sort of get a clear understanding of the new normal." But through a combination of "early furloughs and 'significant' pay cuts among higher-salaried employees," the Rays were able to "avoid the hefty staff cuts other teams made." Meanwhile, Sternberg is "not sure if or how many fans will be allowed" for the Rays’ scheduled April 9 home opener against the Yankees. However, he said he feels “pretty confident that come the summer we’re going to be able to have in as many fans as would like to be at our ballpark.” Sternberg said that the plan to split future seasons in new open-air stadiums in Montreal and either St. Petersburg or Tampa "remains the Rays’ primary focus -- 'the only option in my mind' -- once their lease at Tropicana Field expires" after the '27 season. Also, contrary to some recent chatter in business circles, Sternberg said that the team "has not been approached by any local group about building a stadium and/or buying the team," and he has "no plans to sell." But he did, at the least, "caution that the stadium issue needs to be resolved" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/9).
