Rays denied permission to look for new stadium sites by St. Pete City Council
The Tampa Bay Rays were not granted permission by the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday to look for new stadium sites in Hillsborough County.
Statement from #Rays President Brian Auld on today's decision by the St. Petersburg City Council: pic.twitter.com/mKDRV1kZIE
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) December 18, 2014
Five council members voted "no" while three were open to the idea of the club possibly relocating.
Seemed to me the council's 3 biggest concerns were: low compensation after team left, fear team would leave TB anyway, redevelopment rights.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) December 19, 2014
Rays owner Stuart Steinberg has threatened to sell the team without a new ballpark. The team's current lease at Tropicana Field expires in 2027.
St. Pete mayor Rick Kriseman issued a short statement to express his displeasure with council:
"It is disappointing that the St. Petersburgh City Council rejected the progress and certainty that this agreement provided. St. Petersburg - and the entire Tampa Bay region - stands to lose our Major League Baseball team and receive nothing in return. This is an unfortunate outcome for St. Petersburg's taxpayers and for every fan of the Rays"
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