Overview

• The Tampa Bay Rays’ $1.7 billion sale to a group led by developer Patrick Zalupski is pending final MLB approvals and is expected to close within two weeks.
• Team presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld resigned their posts ahead of the transition, with Silverman moving to an advisory board for current owner Stu Sternberg and Auld staying on as a senior advisor.
• Commissioner Rob Manfred said the incoming owners will likely restart a regional ballpark site search and reiterated his preference to keep the franchise in Florida.
• The club is playing 2025 home games at Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field while Tropicana Field repairs continue, with a 2026 return to the Trop anticipated.
• Local officials say potential sites under consideration include Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus and Ybor City in Tampa, as Orlando’s bid was weakened by the exit of two investors.