Rays' Stadium Plan Stalled by Delays and Issues

The Tampa Bay Rays' plan to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg has been stalled after the Pinellas County Commission postponed a crucial vote on issuing bonds for funding. The delay, caused by two hurricanes and recent elections that changed the commission's composition, may push the stadium's opening to 2029, which the Rays claim would be financially unfeasible. Frustration has mounted between the Rays and the commission, with the team criticizing the county's handling of the process and threatening to abandon the project. Meanwhile, the commission seeks more time to address new members' concerns and public input, with the next vote scheduled for December 17, but uncertainty remains about whether the required support will be secured. Amid this uncertainty, the Rays will play at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for the 2025 season due to damage at Tropicana Field.