What's new Stu? With a new stadium deal pending for Rays

[SilverBull]

is the long nightmare over or just beginning?  And is the race on for new stadium openings?

Rays set to announce deal for new downtown St. Petersburg stadium

WWW.TAMPABAY.COM

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The domed, 30,000-seat ballpark, to be built near the Tropicana Field site, would end a quest that dates back 16 years and includes proposals on both sides of Tampa Bay.

 

[Triple B]

Hope to hell they did all the analytics that told them it will be successful there. I just don't see it there over something near downtown Tampa and hope it doesn't turn into that thing in Miami ...... still glad he's keeping it in the area.

[SilverBull]

Pretty much agree on all points.  I wonder still if a sale is not imminent once this deal is inked.

[SilverBull]

Blurb from the TBT:

Rays confident of closing deal for $1.3B downtown St. Petersburg stadium

The Rays have played this game before several times over the last 16 years, sharing pretty pictures and colorful words about the prospects of getting a new stadium built in the Tampa Bay area.
 
In announcing an agreement with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County today for a new ballpark in downtown St. Petersburg near the Tropicana Field site, they said they are much more confident of closing this deal and having a new $1.3 billion home starting in 2028 with a 30-year lease.
 
“I think we’re in the seventh-inning stretch, if not warming (closer Pete) Fairbanks up,” team president Brian Auld said. “We’ve had stadium announcements before, so that’s a very fair question.
 
“But this one comes with a financing plan to it. One that’s been agreed to by both the mayor and the county administrator. So we are many, many innings ahead of where we’ve been able to get before.”
 
The stadium, part of a massive $6.5 billion, 20-year redevelopment of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District led by the global Hines Co., would seat around 30,000 under a pavilion-style fixed roof.
 
 

[michibull]

I love the stadium design, a boutique, high end experience. The design is very Florida, love all of the windows and suites. Much like has been said, not sold on St. Pete, Tampa would have been much better. Question still remains, will Stu spend on retaining young talent or still sell. The Rays model of elite scouting, player development and a “team” roster cannot withstand big money superstars. I don’t want to see players like Correa or Machado coming to the bay, it would ruin the culture; but resigning kids like Mclanahan and keeping them here would keep/help the culture. Does Stu seem like he could be a good owner and spend on homegrown kids or just another business man? Idk his style at all, that’s why I’m asking.