Tampa Bay Rays face stadium chaos after making $1.3bn decision with Tropicana Field shredded by Hurricane Milton

TAMPA BAY RAYS have made a painful decision over their planned new $1.3billion stadium.

The Major League Baseball team can’t play at their current Tropicana Field venue due to serious storm damage last October.

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And the Rays hoped to swap that ageing site for a 30,000-seat stadium.

It would have been the main feature of a $6.5bn revamp of the whole Historic Gas Plant District.

But the team’s principal owner Stuart Sternberg revealed they have been forced into a dramatic change in thinking.

And he blamed hurricanes as well as expensive delays for the U-turn.

Sternberg explained that the Rays reckon the move was no longer feasible. 

He said in a statement. “A series of events beginning in October that no one could have anticipated led to this difficult decision.

“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment.”

But he tried to reassure fans about the team’s future.

Sternberg added: “Our commitment to the vitality and success of the Rays organization is unwavering. 

“We continue to focus on finding a ballpark solution that serves the best interests of our region, Major League Baseball, and our organization.”

The Rays have a deal with the city of St. Petersburg which means they should spend three more seasons at Tropicana Field.

But that’s become complicated – as the site is still not repaired.

Hurricane Milton was the main cause of the problem.

Fierce winds five months ago shredded the roof of the stadium, making the ground unplayable even this year. 

The MBL insists it is determined to help the team find a venue somewhere nearby.

It said in a statement: “Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community.

 “Commissioner [Rob] Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today’s announcement.

“But he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club’s future in the Tampa Bay region.”

The Rays had been given until March 31 to meet conditions needed to win public funding for the $1.3bn new site.

One huge thing they had to do was show they could pay at least $700million themselves.

But hold-ups over financing helped put an end to the Rays’ dream.