Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said that "talks continue" for a new ballpark with both St. Petersburg and Tampa officials, and he “expects a deal to be struck somewhere by the end of the year,” according to a front-page piece by Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Prior to Thursday’s season opener at Tropicana Field, Sternberg said it is a very “reasonable anticipation.” He added, “And if we don’t, then there’s not a deal to be done, basically.” Topkin noted the “lack of a deal” could lead to the Rays seeking to relocate from the Tampa area “once their use agreement at Tropicana Field expires following the 2027 season.” But Sternberg on Thursday said that he has “become increasingly optimistic about resolution in the Tampa Bay area.” The Rays partnered with the Hines global development firm to “win the right to redevelop the current 86-acre Tropicana Field site,” known as the Historic Gas Plant District, with a new ballpark the "centerpiece and funding coming from a partnership among the team, the city and Pinellas County." The Rays also have "continued talks" with some Tampa officials and have "identified a potential waterfront site, but the path to a deal there, and how funding would work, is less apparent." After announcing Jan. 30 that the Hines/Rays group won the request for proposal bidding, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch -- who was on the field before Thursday’s game, "hugging and talking" with Sternberg -- said that they "want to get a commitment from the team for the stadium" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/30).
