By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg is closing in on a $1.7 billion deal to sell the franchise.
Though not done, the agreement involves a signed letter of intent with a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski.
Zalupski is 44 years old. He is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Dream Finders Homes. He has served as the CEO of the primary operating subsidiary, Dream Finders Homes LLC, since forming the company in December 2008.
Stenberg’s idea of selling the team grew after realizing that the plan to build a new stadium for the Rays at St Petersberg wouldn’t work out.
The Rays have played all of their games in St Petersberg since their inaugural season in 1998. It’s been 27 years of history, and the Rays have experienced incredible memories, beginning in 2008, when they won the division and reached the World Series.
It would be sad to see the Rays leave St Petersberg, but owners are looking for ways to make money. They’re thinking about business first, not feelings. The Rays also have a history of struggling to fill up seats in their ballpark. When the ballpark is empty, sales will hurt. It’s one of the owners’ biggest pet peeves.
There are still high hopes that the Rays will stay in Tampa Bay, which will make the fans very happy. Fans have been loyal for many years and are still hoping that the Rays can bring a championship to Tampa. After witnessing the Florida Panthers winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup, Rays fans want to see one in Baseball.
A Florida team has won the Stanley Cup for four of the last six years. The Tampa Bay Lightning won in 2020 and 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2020, and the Panthers won last year and this year. The Miami Heat haven’t won this decade but have reached the NBA Finals twice (2020, 2023).
Florida sports have been successful. The Rays are the only ones missing from making it complete. The Rays have won 19 of the last 26 games this season.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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