St. Petersburg City Council Considers Tampa Bay Rays Name Change

Team Co-president Warns Name Change Could Jeopardize $6.5 Billion Redevelopment Project

The St. Petersburg City Council has voted for a resolution seeking options to elevate the city's prominence with the MLB team, including a potential name change from Tampa Bay Rays to St. Petersburg Rays.
Team co-president Brian Auld has opposed the name change, stating that it could jeopardize the $6.5 billion ballpark and downtown redevelopment project.
The new $1.3 billion ballpark, set to replace the existing Tropicana Field, is expected to lock the Rays into their new home for at least 30 years from 2028.
Supporters of the name change argue that since St. Petersburg is investing $417.5 million in tax dollars into the deal, its name should come first, boosting the city's national profile and tourism industry.
The resolution adopted by the City Council directs Mayor Ken Welch's staff to prepare a report on the issue by Jan. 4, considering other possibilities such as including St. Petersburg in the new ballpark's name, city-branded uniforms, and more city-promoting signs in the facility.