September 19, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Stu Sterneberg, the lead owner of Tampa Bay rays, talks with the media as Tampa Bay rays today announced that a historical agreement has been signed with the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellus County to proceed with a new state -of -the -art ballpark in Tropicana Field. Compulsory Credit: Kim Clement Neitezel-Imgon Images Athletic reported on Monday that Stu Sternberg, owner of Tampa Bay rays, has agreed in principle for a $ 1.7 billion deal to sell a franchise to a group led by Florida -based developer Patrick Zalupski.
The deal is reportedly expected to be closed in early September and will hold a franchise in the region, with a domestic builder Zalupski in Jacksonville, is a strong priority to landing in Tampa instead of St. Petersburg.
Sternberg bought rays at $ 200 million in 2004.
According to Zalupski’s online bio, he is the founder, president and CEO of Dream Finders Homes. The company was established in December 2008 and closed 27 houses in Jacksonville the following year. Now, with an extended footprint in many parts of the United States, Dream Finders have closed over 31,100 houses since its installation.
He is also a member of the trustee board at the University of Florida.
The new ownership group allegedly includes Bill Cosgrove, Union Home Morgase CEO, and Kane Babbi, owner of Akron Rubardux and Jacksonville Jumbo shrimp, both are also among the modest teams.
A year ago, Sternberg had a deal to build a new stadium in the historic gas plant district, which was a recreational, retail and residential district in St. Petersburg to replace the Tropicana field.
However, Hurricane Milton cut the roof of the stadium last October, forcing the rays into a temporary quarters, Sternberg changed its tune, saying that the team would have to bear additional costs that were not in the budget.
Athletic reported that in March, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and some other owners started pushing Sternberg privately to sell franchisees.
It is not clear what is the group of Zalupski, if it eventually goes with purchase and is approved by MLB owners, it will be done to a permanent stadium.
Currently, the rays in Tampa. Steinbrener is playing in the field, which is located at the house of New York Yankise Spring Training Facility and their single-e Tampa Torpone.
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