Zalupski Group Buys Tampa Bay Rays

A group led by Florida homebuilder and developer Patrick Zalupski has closed on its purchase of the Tampa Bay Rays from longtime owner Stuart Sternberg after unanimous approval by Major League Baseball owners. The purchase price was not officially disclosed but has been reported at about $1.7 billion, and the ownership group includes partners Bill Cosgrove and Ken Babby; Erik Neander is expected to remain president of baseball operations. Commissioner Rob Manfred welcomed the new owners, who are expected to restart the search for a permanent ballpark after the Rays withdrew from a $1.3 billion Tropicana Field–adjacent project. The Rays played this season at Steinbrenner Field because of hurricane damage, and the club’s current use agreement with St. Petersburg runs through the end of the 2028 season. A news conference with the new owners is scheduled for Oct. 7.