Rays will get their new stadium — somewhere

ST. PETERSBURG — Technically, today's debate concerns the location of a new ballpark in the city. Realistically, it is a referendum on the future of major-league baseball in St. Petersburg.

Oh, the Rays are smart enough not to frame it in such stark terms. They know better than to open a conversation about a new stadium with threats or ultimatums.

But connecting the dots is not all that difficult. This ownership group is not staying at Tropicana Field for the long term. That could mean either selling the team or breaking the lease, but one or the other seems inevitable if a new stadium in St. Petersburg is not in the Rays' future.

So, yes, it is important to know about every detail and dollar regarding the financing of a proposed waterfront ballpark. It is important to understand the potential liabilities and possible drawbacks from this ambitious plan. It is important for the city to negotiate with a ruthless vision.

Owner Stuart Sternberg is not going to remain at Tropicana Field through 2027, the final year of the Rays' lease. He made that clear just about a year ago this week when he said the stadium was nearly obsolete.

So figure out for yourself where this story goes if the waterfront proposal doesn't reach referendum, or isn't approved by city voters.

Sternberg will take it as an indication the city isn't committed to the Rays. Whether that is fair is not really the point. The reality is he will have 10 years of poor attendance, a mediocre building and a rejection by the community, and that will be more than enough for Major League Baseball to consider this a failing location.

Does that mean Sternberg would have an army of lawyers seeking ways to break the lease for a possible move to Charlotte or Portland? The closer we get to the stadium's debt service being paid off in 2017, the more plausible that prospect will seem. Does it mean Sternberg will talk to investment bankers about selling the team? That's harder to imagine but, like Lightning owner Bill Davidson, he is an out-of-town businessman with no loyalties here.

My guess is it will go one of two ways. Either someone in the city will suggest the Gateway area in northeast St. Petersburg as an alternative location, or the Rays will start leering suggestively at Hillsborough County.

The mere mention of Tampa should reinvigorate decades-old insecurities about St. Petersburg being the bay area's weaker sibling, but it is a question worth posing.

Frankly, this city has been a huge disappointment in terms of fan support. You can blame missteps by the previous ownership group and you can blame a decade of excruciating losing. You can blame the location of the stadium and you can blame the location of Venus or Mars.

The Rays sold out the first game in franchise history on March 31, 1998. And they did not sell out another game for more than six years. That says far more about the market than the team's promotions or performances.

Maybe the simple truth is that, because of demographics and history, St. Petersburg has neither the wealth nor the civic roots to support major-league baseball.

If you believe that to be true, you shouldn't support a new waterfront ballpark. For all that will do is take the same inherent problems that doomed Tropicana Field, and move them a few blocks away with a much higher price tag.

If you believe St. Petersburg still has potential as a metropolitan city, then the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site and the construction of a waterfront ballpark seems to be an idea worth exploring.

Just don't point at Tropicana Field as the answer to this issue. It no longer matters whether you love the place or not. The ownership group has decided Tropicana Field is not a sufficient facility to support a quality baseball team and payroll, and so every future conversation must begin with that in mind.

The reality is that it is ownership's stance, and nothing is going to change that.

So if St. Petersburg residents decide they do not want a new waterfront stadium, it is certainly a defensible position and clearly within their rights.

Just understand that, ultimately, the decision may also mean St. Petersburg will not be in the business of major-league baseball 10 years from now.

Comments on this article

by Dan	May 18, 2008 11:58 AM
St. Pete is a deadend culdesac. The heart of the fan base, those with children and income, is growing eastward. New Tampa, Brandon, you want the Orlando market? Build it at I-4 and the 75, we will come. You want Sarasota or Orlando? Give me a break

by CharlieRay	May 18, 2008 11:58 AM
It will make no difference ware they play if they don't add a retractable roof with A/C. Baseball in FL needs A/C when the summer comes. It is true that baseball if better outside but @ 100 deg it is no full at all.

by Justin E	May 18, 2008 11:58 AM
"It's not their fault they got stuck with a bad stadium." This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. They bought the team KNOWING what the stadium was like!!!

by Mandy	May 18, 2008 11:58 AM
Let em go! Our waterfront has and always will be a WINNER! The Rays have always been LOSERS. I'd rather have St. Pete known for what it does best, open, pristine downtown waterfront and not for being the city where the loser Rays play.

by Burger	May 18, 2008 11:58 AM
Can someone please explain to me how a new building translates into more attendance? A better team, better marketing, easier parking, cheaper concessions, these are all incentives. But a new building?

by Donna	May 17, 2008 1:22 AM
So what does a contract mean? Nothing? If the new owners want to leave they can? My tenant in a 1000 sq. ft house wants me to buy him a million dollar waterfront house for the same rent. He's not getting that either.

by George	May 17, 2008 1:22 AM
There is no St. Petersburg team, just the TAMPA bay Rays. Let these guys try to compete with the Tampa Yankees in Tampa.

by Big Ed	May 17, 2008 1:22 AM
Albuquerque, New Mexico would love to have this team!!!!!!!

by Big Ed	May 17, 2008 1:22 AM
Bring them to New Mexico. We'd love to have them!!!!!

by Michael	May 17, 2008 1:22 AM
Floridians need to do the right thing- Reject all stadium proposals as outlandish and unwarranted. The Rays can go somewhere else in order to get their stadium financed (maybe the Pacific NW?).

by Russ	May 17, 2008 1:21 AM
Seriously, I know it'll never happen, but the REAL way to pay for a stadium is to build the price into the tickets. At least part of the price. 2m x $5 a ticket = $10m a year. For 30 yrs = $300m. Rays can pay that as rent.

by J	May 17, 2008 1:21 AM
Kick all of the old people out and build the stadium. The last generation screwed this and all future generations. They don't pay taxes anyways. This will reinvigorate downtown and the pier.

by Brian	May 16, 2008 5:54 PM
Vision people. Do you see an All Star game here now, or when the new park is built ? Think about it.

by scottie	May 16, 2008 5:54 PM
I'm not in favor of the stadium, but will keep an open mind. But Stew, lets be real. There needs to be a longer winning record than just a couple of months. You need to back off. With a couple of winning seasons, the public might come around.

by Brian	May 16, 2008 5:26 PM
If you saw the proposal on the news last night, you would have seen that there would be no tax change from what is being spent already now. Where do you get your info ? Duid you even see the proposal ? Do you think they were lieing ?

by Brian	May 16, 2008 5:25 PM
I like sports K. You might not. I play ice hockey and I take it to heart that I/we really want to have a city that the world respects and draws $ from different areas. Unless you want what it is now,business as usual. Or, U can change it.Create jobs.

by Meghan	May 16, 2008 5:24 PM
Mark -Tropicana field was finished in 1990, which was not in FACT 20 years ago, if you remember how to subtract, 2008 - 1990 = 18. Get a clue loose lips.

by Brian	May 16, 2008 5:24 PM
If you guys look at what the Glazers did with The Bucs before with the old stadium and the change of coaches with a new investment and a new stadium. Irregardless what happened, you have to spend in order to make change. Are there tampa fans here ?

by Stephanie	May 16, 2008 5:19 PM
Dear Brian 1:35 p.m. - YOU pitch in! I don't have enough money to feed myself and my 2 kids let alone a multi million dollar baseball team! Get outta here. Wake up you callous jerk!

by David	May 16, 2008 5:19 PM
"The ownership group has decided Tropicana Field is not a sufficient facility to support a quality baseball team and payroll"? Who are you quoting here? Reliable sources? Somebody hasn't been attention. They look like a quality team to me!! Go Rays.

by George	May 16, 2008 5:19 PM
The problem with downtown St. Pete is it is too far for many people in Tampa and northern Pinellas to drive. The Rays belong in Tampa. They may lose some people in south Pinellas but will draw much better from Hillsborough and points east.

by Rich	May 16, 2008 5:16 PM
no such word a irregardless...it's regardless

by Ron	May 16, 2008 5:16 PM
News flash people, you live in Florida! Stop complaining about sitting outside because its "too hot". Besides most of the games don't start until 7pm. It will be cooler and you will sitting right on the water.

by Bill	May 16, 2008 5:15 PM
Greg, The Glazers raped Tampa. It won't happen again. Look at this proposal it is extremely reasonable and fair. The Rays new front office is doing everything right for their team and community. Lets Build the Ballpark!

by jackie o	May 16, 2008 5:14 PM
Of course the ideal stadium would have a retractable roof and AC-the best of both worlds-real grass and comfort. Show me the money, Sternberg. Your money!

by Greg	May 16, 2008 3:48 PM
You should read the book "Field of Schemes" which is a wonderful history of team owners raping cities. If Steinberg wants a new stadium, he should build it with his money.

by tom	May 16, 2008 3:48 PM
If the new stadium proposal truely,and I do mean truely, means no new taxes and the design stays the way it is, then I'm all for it. Its beautiful, the games start for the most part at 7 pm(cooler)and in this economy, we can put our money elsewhere.

by Mark	May 16, 2008 3:17 PM
To Tampa Rays Fan, I-4 and I-75 is about an hour's drive from St. Pete with no traffic. With weekday traffic it is closer to 2 hours. There is no way that would work. The trop and new stadium are about 30-45 min from almost all of Tampa even wkdy.

by Mark	May 16, 2008 3:16 PM
Barbara, Why do people talk when they don't have a clue? The stadium was built about 20 years ago not 10. and Did you honestly bring up the colosseum? A place that hasn't been used in 1500 years. Get a clue Q-tips

by K	May 16, 2008 3:15 PM
Big deal John. So the Rays may move from St Pete. Are we going to miss them? I won't. What I'd really like to know is whether they ever improved the local economy - hard #s, not projections is what I want.

by K	May 16, 2008 3:15 PM
As for Frank & Brian, you want it, you pay for it yourselves. I refuse to allow any public funds/tax $$ to be used for this ridiculous proposal!

by Jimbo	May 16, 2008 3:12 PM
http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?va=irregardless&x=0&y=0 Find better things to worry about than my supposed lack of intelligence. Point still remains; this is nothing more than a scare tactic. Shame on you John!

by Jimbo	May 16, 2008 3:11 PM
Barbara, the Trop's been there for 20 years, and the Rays had zero input on it; they weren't even in existence then. It's not their fault they got stuck with a bad stadium. Now the current owners are keeping their word. Trust them!

by Bob	May 16, 2008 3:09 PM
Tampa Rays Fan, Huh? The new stadium does have a retractable roof.

by frank	May 16, 2008 2:29 PM
The new ballpark looks great it this is what they decide to build. I am from Tampa and will go to St Pete to see the Rays play like they are. St Pete residents need to make the right choice and that is voting yes for a stadium.