The Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics received vital approvals for stadium financing, paving the way for new homes in Florida and Las Vegas.
St. Petersburg: Major League Baseball’s stadium situations got a bit clearer recently. The St. Petersburg city council voted 4-3 to support a new $1.3 billion domed stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. They approved $287.5 million in bonds for the stadium and another $142 million for the surrounding area.
But hold on, it’s not time to break out the shovels just yet. The Pinellas County commissioners will vote on December 17 about their share of the financing, which is another $312.5 million in bonds.
The future of the Gas Plant project has been uncertain since Hurricane Milton damaged the Rays’ current home, Tropicana Field. Fixing the roof and other repairs will cost about $55.7 million and won’t be done until after the 2026 season. So, the Rays have some decisions to make since the new stadium won’t be ready until 2028.
For the 2025 season, the Rays will play at Steinbrenner Field, which is the spring training home for the New York Yankees. The Yankees’ Class-A team, the Tampa Tarpons, will have to find a new place to play during that time.
Meanwhile, over in Las Vegas, the Athletics got some good news too. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved the necessary paperwork for a $1.75 billion stadium on the Strip. This includes a 30-year lease and non-relocation agreement.
They still need to finalize a development agreement with Clark County, but if all goes well, construction on the 30,000-seat dome could start in the spring, aiming to open before the 2028 season. Nevada and Clark County are chipping in $380 million, but the A’s have to invest at least $100 million first.
According to A’s board member Sandy Dean, team owner John Fisher plans to boost their contribution to $1.1 billion. Plus, Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bank are set to provide a $300 million loan.
The A’s, who recently left Oakland after 57 years, will play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for at least three seasons. That park is home to the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A team, the Sacramento River Cats.
While Steinbrenner Field is closer to being ready for MLB action than Sutter Health Park, neither team will be able to draw the crowds expected of a major league team, especially given their past attendance struggles.