A Decision Has Been Made About The Tampa Bay Rays Name
There was a motion filed by a St. Pete councilwoman that change the Tampa Bay Rays name. Well, a decision has been made about it. St. Pete Councilwoman Gina Driscoll filed a motion to to change the team’s name to the St. Petersburg Rays. On Thursday there was a hearing about the name change, but it received pushback. Tampa Bay Rays President Brian Auld told the council that a name change would impact future plans for the stadium project and development. So, the Tampa Bay Rays name will remain unchanged.
Auld said, “There will not be a new ballpark nor a development project if there is a requirement to change our franchise’s name.” Finally, Driscoll amended her motion and the council passed that measure that does not require a name change.
The Tampa Bay Rays New Stadium In St. Pete
The stadium will be built near where Tropicana Field sits now. It will be part of the re-development of the 86-acre historic Gas Plant District. The first season the Rays will play in the new stadium will be for the 2028 season. The stadium is expected to have a fixed dome roof, artificial for artificial turf field and have seating for around 30,000 fans. It will cost in excess of $1.2 billion. The Tampa Bay Rays, the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County will contribute to the funding of the new stadium.
The Rays have currently been playing at the Trop since their inaugural season in 1998. This past season was their 25th anniversary season. Tropicana Field was originally opened in 1990. It was called the Florida Suncoast Dome. In 1993 the Tampa Bay Lightning moved from the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds into the Florida Suncoast Dome. It was then changed to the ThunderDome. It became the name Tropicana Field in October 1996. Tropicana is based in Bradenton and signed a 30 year naming rights deal.
[SOURCE: WFLA]
A Peek at The Rays New Stadium & Surrounding Neighborhood In 2028
