US EditionTampa Bay Rays Sold to Patrick Zalupski of Dream Finders Homes
Patrick Zalupski's ownership group plans to prioritize building a new stadium as the Rays return to Tropicana Field in 2026, completing a $1.7 billion sale approved unanimously by MLB owners.
- On Tuesday, a group led by Patrick Zalupski closed the purchase of the Tampa Bay Rays, with reports estimating the deal at $1.7 billion.
- Stuart Sternberg's decision to sell followed unresolved stadium challenges that bedeviled the franchise, with longstanding uncertainty over a long-term stadium solution prompting the sale after two decades.
- Patrick Zalupski will serve as MLB Control Person and Co-Chair alongside Bill Cosgrove as Co-Chair, Ken Babby was named Chief Executive Officer, and Erik Neander remains President of Baseball Operations.
- Possible new sites including Ybor City and the Florida State Fairgrounds are being considered as the ownership restarts the ballpark search, while St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch has not yet spoken with the new owners despite the city spending over $55 million to repair Tropicana Field.
- As part of the transaction, Zalupski's group acquired the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the club retains a use agreement with St. Petersburg through the end of the 2028 season, and Sternberg will remain a minority owner with roughly a 10% stake.
50 Articles
50 Articles
Billionaire Homebuilder Zalupski Buys Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays
A group of investors led by billionaire Patrick Zalupski, a Florida-based businessman, has agreed to purchase the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team from Stu Sternberg after years of unsuccessful negotiations to find the club a new stadium.
A New Era Dawns In Tampa Bay: Rays' Baseball Ops Boss Senses A Winning Future
New Owners, Same Mission? Erik Neander is ‘Fired Up’ About the Rays’ Future, but the Big Questions—Payroll and a ‘Forever Home’—Loom Large. TAMPA, Fla. – The Rays have new owners, and Erik Neander is excited. The Rays‘ President of Baseball Operations has gotten the impression that the new ownership group wants to win just as […] A New Era Dawns In Tampa Bay: Rays’ Baseball Ops Boss Senses A Winning Future
Tampa Bay Rays officially under new ownership as stadium questions continue
The Tampa Bay Rays are officially under new ownership after a $1.7 billion sale closed Tuesday morning, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The sale came after Major League Baseball owners approved the deal last week. Jacksonville home developer Patrick Zalupski led the sale, acquiring the team from former principal owner Stu Sternberg, who held the team for nearly 20 years. Throughout those two decades, striking a successful deal to bu…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
