Jacksonville Businessman Patrick Zalupski Leads Official Tampa Bay Rays $1.7 Billion Ownership Takeover

The Tampa Bay Rays have been officially sold to a new ownership group led by Jacksonville businessman Patrick Zalupski, marking the third ownership transition in the franchise's history. The sale, reportedly valued at $1.7 billion, was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball owners and finalized recently. Zalupski, along with partners Bill Cosgrove and Ken Babby, expressed their commitment to delivering a world-class experience for fans and continuing the team's tradition of excellence. The new group also acquired the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team and plans to revisit plans for a new ballpark after previous project delays. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred welcomed the new owners, highlighting their passion and experience as a positive force for the Rays' future. A news conference introducing the new ownership is scheduled for October 7.