ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) β The Rays have reached a deal with St. Petersburg that would allow the team to search for new stadium sites on both sides of Tampa Bay.
The team has played since its inception in Pinellas County at what now is called Tropicana Field. The agreement, slated for a vote Thursday by the St. Petersburg City Council, would allow the Rays to evaluate sites on the east side of the bay in Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located.
The deal, outlined by St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman, also established how much the Rays would have to pay the city if they leave their current home before their Tropicana Field lease expires in 2027.
Kriseman stressed Tuesday that a so-called “memorandum of understanding” does not allow the Rays to consider moving outside of the Tampa Bay region.
In the past, the team has been able to consider only alternative sites in St. Petersburg and surrounding Pinellas County.
