Rumors have been swirling a few potential purchaser for the Rays for years, and notably within the final two weeks.
The Rays are approaching a March 31 deadline to proceed or terminate the brand new stadium deal in St. Petersburg, creating a possible inflection level for promoting the group as a brand new proprietor might want the group in one other metropolis (Tampa or in any other case).
Starting late final evening, patrons started to be recognized by varied information retailers together with The Tampa Bay Instances, The Athletic (in an article titled “MLB commissioner, a number of house owners pressuring Stu Sternberg to promote Rays”), and JP Peterson (who has been on the Promote the Rays beat all 12 months).
The excellent news for native followers is that every one three bids are based mostly within the Tampa Bay area. Right here’s a breakdown.
Joe Molloy / DeBartolo Household (49ers Enterprises)
The Tampa Bay Instances broke the rumor dam by saying that one of many bids was being championed by native educator Joe Molloy — a former govt of the New York Yankees, together with two years in cost; he famously signed off on the choice to draft Derek Jeter. He departed the Yankees group following his divorce from Jessica Steinbrenner, and beforehand was a part of a bid to purchase the Marlins.
In line with The Athletic, Molloy is backed by the DeBartolo household, who personal the San Francisco 49ers and Leeds United FC. Final month it was reported the 49ers had been trying to promote 10% of the group for an inflow of money.
Notably, this bid is fascinated about preserving the St. Petersburg Stadium Deal.
Dan Doye Jr. (DEX Imaging)
Native businessman Doyle Jr — who based the corporate DEX Imaging along with his father in 2002, offered the corporate in 2019, and repurchased it in 2024 — is main a competing bid, in accordance with The Athletic.
Doyle was the lead investor in a reported $1.85 billion bid for the franchise again in 2023.
Thriller Bid
On the JP Peterson Present, by means of their lawyer Carter McCain, a 3rd group claims to be planning a “24/7 leisure vacation spot” constructed across the Tampa Bay Rays, with a imaginative and prescient of mirroring The Sphere’s impression on Las Vegas. In line with McCain, buying the Rays wouldn’t be largest monetary outlay of the deal.
Notably, McCain stated the group’s bid has been by means of the MLB Commissioner’s workplace, and never by means of direct contact with Sternberg.
