Pinellas County to Rays: Make a decision by Sunday on $1.3B stadium project

In a sometimes scolding letter sent earlier this week, Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters flatly asks officials with the Tampa Bay Rays if they are in or out on a $1.3 billion stadium deal the team agreed to four months ago. The commission set a deadline — Sunday — for an answer.

“I am requesting that you officially declare your intention regarding this agreement and whether you intend to see it come to fruition,” Peters writes, in part. “The Rays must either indicate in writing that they intend to move forward under the agreement as executed, or provide a clearer Notice of Termination … no later than Dec. 1. Pinellas County has operated in good faith, working toward the stadium deal while balancing the needs of our community after back-to-back hurricanes. If the Rays want out of this agreement, it is your right to terminate the contract. Clear communication about your intentions will be critical to the next steps in this partnership.”

The Rays, in a statement from team President Brian Auld provided Wednesday to the Business Observer, responded to the letter and deadline. "We are eager to work with all partners on a solution for the 2029 season that keeps Major League baseball in Tampa Bay for generations to come," Auld states. "As we always have, we will maintain contact with the city and county as navigate our future."