Wednesday's News of a Potential Sale Strengthens Tampa Bay Rays' Commitment to Local Market

Sure, the new prospective ownership group has some ties to the Jacksonville area, but they also have deep Tampa roots, strengthening the position of the team in the only market it's ever known.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) hits a RBI single in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field on June 17. | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

For the last several years, as ballpark and attendance questions have swirled, the Tampa Bay Rays have been mentioned as a possible candidate for relocation.

You've heard it, and so have I. Nashville. Portland. Montreal. Anywhere that might be a candidate for a major league baseball team has been mentioned as a possible future home for the Rays.

And apparently, with the Wednesday news that there's a new prospective ownership group for the Rays, some fans are wondering if they could end up.... Jacksonville?

Well, that's not going to happen, despite that prospective ownership group having some business ties to the area. As veteran Jacksonville television reporter Brent Martineau says on social media, the new group also has Tampa investors. He guess is that the team is going to stay in Tampa, and frankly, that's what commissioner Rob Manfred wants.

Jacksonville ownership group and moving the Rays to Jacksonville are two different things. Ownership group has Tampa investors too so my guess is Rays stay in Tampa.

— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) June 18, 2025

Manfred has been steadfast in his desire to make major league baseball work in the state of Florida, and some have reportedly tried to pressure Sternberg to sell the team to a group that will move it forward in its current market. Tuesday's news seems to solidify that Sternberg is listening seriously to the commissioner's desires.

Sources: Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and some owners are pressuring Stu Sternberg to sell the Tampa Bay Rays. Revenue sharing money could be at stake.

Several groups have expressed interest, including the family of Edward DeBartolo Jr.https://t.co/DgClN3C5D9

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 10, 2025

And the prospective $1.7 billion price tag certainly won't hurt, either.

Patrick Zalupski, who heads the prospective ownership group, has been trying to buy the team "for a while," according to catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who said that on Foul Territory TV.

His group has signed a letter of intent to buy the team, but that is not an official purchase agreement.

We'll have more on this story as it becomes available.

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