Zalupski Group Completes Purchase of Rays

Patrick Zalupski’s investment group completed its purchase of the Tampa Bay Rays, with Zalupski named MLB‑designated control person and managing partner; the deal is valued at about $1.7 billion and outgoing owner Stuart Sternberg will retain roughly a 10% stake. Zalupski will be joined in the team's leadership by co‑chair Bill Cosgrove and CEO Ken Babby, and the new ownership named an executive advisory board including Will Weatherford, Doug Hertz, Robert Skinner, Dan Doyle Jr., Rick Workman, former team president Matt Silverman and independent member Fred Ridley. The franchise still faces urgent stadium questions — there is no plan or site for a new ballpark, extensive repairs remain uncertain to hurricane‑damaged Tropicana Field, and the team spent the season playing at Steinbrenner Field amid back‑to‑back losing records. Sternberg said he sometimes regretted selling but believed the change offered the clearest path to keep the Rays in the Tampa Bay area. Separately, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating City of Tampa head of code enforcement Keith O'Connor, who has been placed on paid administrative leave.