Rays new ballpark: APPROVED, not guaranteed?

[@raysnhell89]

5th generation native here. The main problem will always be transportation and lack of. We have only 3 bridges that connects St Pete to Tampa and no mass transit. Add rush hour traffic and/or accident on one of the bridges around game times and you're screwed. We need better ways to get people to the Trop that's not cars. Trains, subway, ferries, buses shuttle lanes we need something. It would also help reduce # of drunk drivers on roads.

[@jacobdye4037]

This needs to be brought up. Some form of mass transit between Tampa and St. Pete would be crucial for making this a success.

[@trclark7689]

Also a native of the Tampa Bay Area here. The main problem is that MLB is a family game and the majority of people that live/work/play East of Downtown Tampa work in Tampa and have to travel East in rush hour traffic at 5pm to get home from work to collect their family, then travel back across downtown, across one of the three bridges, and into St. Pete and attempt to get there by 7pm when the first pitch takes place. As someone that lived in the Plant City area, it was virtually impossible. Every time we tried it, we never made it for first pitch, we never got to our seats until the 3rd-4th inning. I'd assume that with the speed of the game today, it would likely be the 5th-6th inning, which makes it not worth it. How exactly would mass transit work in an area that's as spread out as the Tampa Bay area is to transport 30,000 fans from as far out as Plant City to a game that starts at 7pm when people are getting off from work at 5pm? How many lines would said mass transit have? One to Plant City/Lakeland? One to Lutz/Wesley Chapel/Brooksville? One to Clearwater/Tarpon Springs/New Port Richey? One to Bradenton/Sarasota/Venice? One to Brandon, Riverview, Ruskin? All of these lines to service the Rays, mostly paid for by Hillsborough County residents, which didn't want to pay their tax dollars to lure the Rays to Tampa in the first place? Only in the Tampa Bay Area would we decide to place a team away from the center of the population, then propose MORE tax dollars on an expensive public transportation system that has already proven to be a nightmare financially for cities across the country that's not NY and Chicago. The reason that the Rays didn't move across the Bay, the reason that, when a window opened with Hillsborough County and Tampa leaders, absolutely NOTHING happened, is because Hillsborough and Tampa leaders knew the following: 1. They would have to put any taxpayer funding on the ballot. 2. Taxpayer funding for another stadium was overwhelmingly going to fail. 3. The "Community Investment Tax of 1996" is nearing its end and they want to try to extend it for another 30 years for infrastructure, not sports. 4. The Bucs lease with Hillsborough County is up in 2028 and Hillsborough County/Tampa are preparing to shell out tax dollars for that situation. Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa have zero desire to build expensive public transportation with tax dollars to service a sports franchise that they had zero desire to spend tax dollars on to lure them to the city. As it relates to the new stadium in St. Pete, sure, they'll see a spike in attendance for a season or two because it's something new, but once the newness wears off, they'll be exactly where the Marlins are/were. The only solution to fix attendance at Rays games was to relocate the team, to Tampa or otherwise. They failed and people still won't show up.

[@boltyourselfin]

They should have just gone full in with the rail lines on the new Howard Frankland. But they left it for "future expansion". Which means most likely never.

[@jasonn4798]

Tampa and St.Pete are not hours apart that is completely wrong to explain it that way. I am an hour from Tampa away and usually get there within 45 minutes or less. I generally go to 1 to 2 games a month. Tampa and St.Pete are not hours apart that is completely wrong to explain it that way. Also coming from someone who is born and raised here also I know Florida the area like the back of my hand.

[@trclark7689]

⁠@@jasonn4798who said that Tampa and St. Pete are hours away from each other? Tropicana Field is exactly 23 miles from the Tampa city center. That said, you’re being disingenuous if you’re suggesting that someone working in Tampa that lives in, let’s say, Plant City, can get off work at 5:30pm, drive in rush hour traffic on I-4 to get home, pick up his family, drive back across town on I-4 to 275, across the bridge and into St. Pete in less than two hours time, and that’s if there’s no accidents. For a single person that lives and works in Tampa, sure. The overwhelming majority of the fanbase lives East, North, or South of Tampa.

[@charliem9831]

I can’t believe the biggest issue that people seem to have with going to the Rays game is where it’s located and they are keeping it the same place.

[@jeffc1347]

At the end of the day St Pete wanted to have the stadium as an anchor for a site redevelopment, as well as the status of having an MLB team, and the Rays were desperate for someone to give them a favorable stadium deal (which Tampa was not going to do). Sadly this doesn't change that the team will still have among the lowest attendance in the league because of how long it takes to get to this stadium from Tampa. An NFL team it doesn't matter as much if the team is outside the city because with only 8 games a year people will travel, but getting butts in seats for 80 games a year requires a much more centrally located venue. I live in Orlando and it usually takes me 1-1.5 hours to get to Tampa, I went to a Rays game this year and it took me 3 HOURS to get to the Trop. So its like 1-1.5 hours away from most people that live in TAMPA.

[@SethFinberg]

As a South Floridian, the stadium needs to be on the Tampa side / Hillsborough county not on the peninsula which is St. Pete / Pinellas county. I have Bucs season tix and games are so much easier to get to as Raymond James is just west of Downtown Tampa (near the airport)

[@LuisHervias]

It is correct, I sincerely think that the project will be a failure.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Building a new stadium in the same terrible location--not smart

[@Yo_Bentley]

But it’s hard for me in Pinellas to get to a Bucs & lighting game. Takes me 2hrs to get to Amalie in the evening, it’s not a city problem it’s a Florida problem with our FDOT

[@kevinhover461]

The problem is people in Florida vote against their own interests in terms of public transit…amongst other things.

[@cmarshall4135]

Well on St Pete will pay for it, Tampa refused so it is what it is

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

The Rays need to get this done. They are profitable, successful franchise. They were purchased in 2004 for 200 million and now they are said to be worth 1.2 billion.

[@allene2307]

Just give Brodie the $700M of public money instead of building a stadium.

[@douglasmiles7013]

There's no way the Rays will draw 30,000 other than maybe opening day of a new stadium. They couldn't sell our playoff games. It's another boondoggle. No public money should be used for this. Also, the area around the stadium is not great. Nobody will want to stay at a hotel there. The NY Post reported last week that Sternberg was trying to sell the team the past couple of months and the deal fell through.

[@jasonn4798]

Wrong it is called simple economic evaluations the investors economists and accountants have all done the math on this in order to issue a municipal revenue bond that qualifies in relation to the states population growth, debt, and income. Florida is one of the most booming states in the whole country investors see this as a gold mine basically.

[@dougmilesmedia]

@@jasonn4798 No way. Baseball in Florida has never drawn despite 2 World Series championships in Miami and 2 World Series appearances by the Rays.

[@ryanengh1]

In my opinion the influx of people the last 4 years to St Pete/Tampa area allowed this to happen. That’s why they’ve been talking about a new stadium for 15 years but the city finally approved the funding

[@carlj12]

I think the rays plan is still a lot better than the A’s plan. It reminds me of Washington where they built an extra part of the city around the stadium and it worked. It should bring in extra fans for the rays. And yes, I realise Howard Terminal was kind of the same plan

[@pjn7136]

Nicely done on the pronunciation of Pinellas County. I’m completely against any public funding for billionaires (and multi-millionaires) and their sports franchises, but if the people who live in the vicinity are okay with funding their teams, that’s their choice.

[@SKS8080]

Because they know the taxpayers and politicians are suckers. They got us bought and paid for.

[@LuisHervias]

This project will be a failure, same place, same problem, the only difference will be a new stadium, that's all.

[@Tampafan33]

Exactly. Should’ve moved to Tampa. Its embarrassing that we can over fill a hockey stadium,a fucking hockey stadium,with 21000 people every night yet still Pete cant even average 10,000. It’s not like it’s outside. I mean damn the Tampa bay bucs in the dead of heat keep the stadium full. St Pete doesn’t give a shit about sports. If they did they’d easily fill that stadium out. It’s not like st Pete is small. I live in Lakeland and we can fill a freaking 3000 1a baseball stadium. Like ffs lol

[@sominboy2757]

They might be trying to be careful not tipping off the state legislature in Tallahassee. Given how the governor is he might quash the deal all together

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Building a new stadium in the same terrible location is guaranteed failure

[@Mr.Ed_Wayner]

Tampa Rays stadium will be Loan Depot 2.0

[@JonDoe-ln6nl]

A new stadium in the same location WILL NOT CHANGE A THING! (Other than raising ticket and concession prices.)

[@S_Over_Street]

If you remember back in 2013 when the Sacramento Kings were sold to group of investors led by hedge fund founder Chris Hansen to move the franchise to Seattle & revive the Sonics, he had already had tentative agreement with the city of Seattle & King County on land just a block south of Safeco Field to build an arena. This was all based on the MOU / Memorandum of Understanding. Though the Kings move was denied by the NBA the arena planned development were still ongoing. Unfortunately the Seattle City Council voted down an important piece for the arena, to remove / vacate a street in the development as the arena was opposed by the Port of Seattle & The Mariners. Even after Chris Hansen changed his end of the agreement to full the entire project himself. The city declined his offer & that Arena Development since went nowhere. However this was the start of what is now Climate Pledge Arena (former Key Arena) being renovated & getting the NHL to expand to Seattle.

[@davidhalcon5594]

Sell out a “ bunch” of games? The A’s need to sell out every game for 30 years! LOL! Good luck with that.

[@JuicyPlayer]

Tampa isn’t spending money on the Rays with the Bucs being due for a new stadium soon.

[@davidmethven2404]

You are right. We all know the Ybor City location would have been better for everyone in and around the bay, but Hillsborough County did not not want to pay up. I cannot blame them considering the trajectory MLB is on (on the downswing) and the increased popularity of the NFL. My hope is that a MLS team returns to Tampa in the form of a new venue due to favorable demographics and increased popularity of soccer.

[@Justin-jr7xq]

Seems quite ridiculous that a team with such a small fanbase, is going to pay so much to put a stadium…..in the same place. A shiny stadium wont create new fans. Orlando would have been the sensible move for the team.

[@LuisHervias]

correct

[@michaelbaucom4019]

@@Justin-jr7xq as is said in real estate, everything is: LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION A new stadium in the same old terrible location isn't smart

[@LeanMrfuzzles]

The Rays fanbase is not small. Their TV numbers are actually quite good. The Rays have the lowest thirty minute population radius in the league and it's not even remotely close.

[@SizzurpFoo]

Hope they upgrade the mass transit that Florida lacks

[@JElNative]

Hopefully they build a light rail line

[@moonman2467]

Their 17 fans are gonna love it

[@WWEMiz]

🤡

[@SethFinberg]

The 6 who come from Sarasota are fine with it. 😂

[@GuyGadbois-e4e]

Florida baseball? Miami has a beautiful recently built stadium and they do not draw either. Will the Rays draw crowds with a new stadium?

[@PauMaz]

No

[@chuckdameron5626]

It's a real bad deal for the public it should have moved to hard rock area because it whould have bring more people from Orlando to the ballpark

[@katemoo9581]

As a Ray, fan, I’m excited for this stadium and I still have to get money to build it

[@LuisHervias]

I'm a Rays fan but I also think that the money should be invested in improving the city. Right now we have a lot of flooding in Pinellas County, we have traffic problems, in short.

[@paulblack9931]

@@LuisHerviaswith the recent storm by Debby, I too think St Pete may want to focus on better infrastructure with many more weather disasters to come towards Florida residents in the future

[@douglaskaminski4703]

If the stadium needs a roof, why is so much of the entertainment district outdoors?

[@brodiebrazil]

Good point

[@tonyborasio7187]

The Rays are staying put , period, it’s over, and it’s guaranteed !

[@mosinc7388]

Then why couldn't Oakland get it done? Those are the questions you should be asking. Can't wait to get into that new ballpark, sorry about yours not happening. By the way, the Rays are partnered with Hines. It's a done deal.

[@brodiebrazil]

Got like 100 videos on this channel to answer your question. Check em out

[@a.j.haszko3465]

I don't like to see teams move, but staying in Saint Petersburg is a death sentence for that organization. The Rays should move to Orlando. About 74 million people visit Orlando a year. Orlando has the hotels and plenty of things to do. The infrastructure is also in Orlando for easy access. Birghtline, Sunrail, I-4, SR 417, SR 528. The possibilities are endless.

[@JuicyPlayer]

Orlando traffic is even worse because there are more people on the road that are from out of town than people that actually live there. Also Tampa Bay is still a way bigger market.

[@a.j.haszko3465]

@@JuicyPlayer Tampa has the 17 largest metro area while Orlando is the 21st largest. I'm not sure what your definition of way bigger is. Also, Orlando is currently taking care of their roads accommodate the traffic. I don't see roads in Tampa/St Pete getting better anytime soon.

[@JuicyPlayer]

@@a.j.haszko3465 The roads in Orlando are worse than Tampa and most of the people on those roads are tourists.

[@SaintSpire]

Id rather have a flipping team thats not always in rotation. Same continental breakfast, different hotel.

[@johngibson8636]

Two things in Tampa's favor it's not California, so things actually occur in a timely manner, and secondly it's not Fisher trying to do the deal. The other thing on attendance, it's not an easy location to get to from the greater area, and MLB screwed them with the start time of the playoff games.

[@JoshFallen]

Minnesota Twins had a home day game with short notice during the week in last years playoffs as well. Traffic in downtown Minneapolis and parking during the week is a nightmare. They sold out.

[@johngibson8636]

@@JoshFallen Yes, but the ballpark in Minneapolis is downtown, if it were out past the airport it probably wouldn't sell out

[@Notnapoleonb]

The biggest and most glaring well-known issue with attendance and support is location. This is why the most popular sports in Tampa is hockey and football. Ownership and city: Fuck it. We’ll keep it in the same spot. LET’S GO BOLTS! ⚡️

[@jasonn4798]

THERE ARE NO OPPOSING VIEWS! VOTES ARE FINAL! ALL MONEY IS FINAL! THERE IS NO DEBATE ANYMORE! BELIEVE IT BUDDY BRODIE IT WILL BE BUILT!

[@jasonn4798]

I am an hour from Tampa and i usually get there within 45 minutes or less. I generally go to 1 to 2 games a month. Tampa and St.Pete are not hours apart that is completely wrong to explain it that way. Also coming from someone who is born and raised here I know Florida like the back of my hand. It also takes me the same time going to Amelia Arena for Lightning games same thing. This is also a matter of simple economic evaluations the investors economists and accountants have all done the math on this in order to issue a municipal revenue bond that qualifies in relation to the states population growth, debt, and income. Florida is one of the most booming states in the whole country investors see this as a gold mine basically. There will also be plenty of new housing built right next to the stadium which should add 5K more fans on average. Tired of all the doubters and mediocre fans SUPPORT YOUR RAYS ! BE A LOYAL FAN ! SUPPORT THE UNDERDOG! Reply

[@SNW8191]

I was a casual baseball fan. I used to live in Oakland, and now I live in Tampa. I actually moved back to Tampa after moving from there to CA. I've been to 3 Oakland A's games. I've never been to a Rays game. It was so easy to get to the A's and my job had trips to A's games, so that encouraged me to go. None of the jobs I've had in Tampa or St. Pete offered trips to Rays games and living in Tampa and having no way to get there other than driving, I'm unmotivated. I hate driving, especially across the Howard Franklin bridge. If they built in Tampa I think they'd increase the attendance. I'd rather go to a Lightning game.

[@jasonn4798]

Also wrong the Tropicana field holds 45,000 the new stadium will hold 30,000 the upper deck empty looking effect will not be apparent in the new stadium ever and odds are that average will go up to 25k attendance.

[@mikeh1242]

Seems like Stu will sell the team outright. He has the stadium deal in place along with the whole 20-year construction plan around the stadium. He has slashed the payroll this year at the trade deadline. Everything is aligned for a sale. The new owners could actually renege on the deal and take the team to another city.

[@CurtisDavis-ok1eq]

Move The Rays To Montreal, Please!

[@georgehand]

The only question I have right now about this and that is will Rays fans bother to show up!!!!

[@anthony_rivera4735]

Keep the rays in Tampa, also this is the only Milwaukee Tampa rivalry in sports because the only other team Milwaukee has is the bucks while Tampa has the buccaneers and Lightning as the only other teams in Tampa.

[@brodiebrazil]

😳😳😳

[@HHSGDFootballJPD]

Are you the one who is disappointed there is no Phoenix/Columbus rivalry in the 4 major sports anymore?

[@anthony_rivera4735]

@@HHSGDFootballJPD yes, but that's because I consider the mls as a major sport.

[@bchillbong-uf2io]

I'm going to laugh soo hard when they build the stadium and no one shows up.

[@briannewsome9038]

It’s a waste of money and the St Petersburg govt will screw it up

[@ericletford1178]

Iam not a Rays fan but they Called The Tampa Rays Not the St Petersberg Rays they need to be in Tampa

[@jacklopinto946]

brodie, what a massive HEADACHE!! move to DISNEYWORLD orlando my goodness disneyworld is the great tourist capitol of the USA !

[@Yo_Bentley]

It’s not a city or location problem it’s a Florida problem with our D.O.T. It’s a pain just getting to Orlando from Tampa. Fans don’t show up to the Heat games till the 2nd Quarter. So I wish people stop saying it’s a location problem. When it’s clearly a FDOT problem.

[@rickcobos1724]

Good lord the rush hour in Florida’s big three, especially all over Metro Miami…

[@a.j.haszko3465]

Fans have no problems getting to NFL, NHL, and NBA games in Florida. It's all about location. The baseball stadiums are in bad locations.

[@larrye.jackson7487]

The Trop is a mess due to Hurricane Milton. Mabebthe Rays could use the Coliseum for the next 3 years? MLB quality ballpark reafy to be used, fans would love it, jobs saved, and the A's have no say in the process. Oakland would welcome them. Andvwho knows, we've got a beautiful waterfront option in a top media market with much better weather? What about it?

[@DANZIG138]

They should move to Montreal. And I fuckin hate Montreal

[@PauMaz]

Terrible, terrible decision. The location is god awful. It is essentially in the same location as the Trop. It is a major pain in the neck to get to the Trop from the major population center in Tampa. Long term this will not solve the Rays attendance problems much as a new stadium in a bad location in Miami didn’t solve the Marlins attendance issues.

[@dannyboy34677]

What Brodie doesn’t tell you that construction is going to get done starting in January and be done by 2028. The question in the thumbnail on this is a done deal. This is getting done. It is a done deal.

[@brodiebrazil]

Try watching the video

[@dannyboy34677]

@@brodiebrazil I did it’s a done deal. Ground is going to be broken January of 2025 and will be completed by opening day 2028. The Rays are #heretostay.

[@joelrobinson4497]

@@dannyboy34677you never know with Stu Sternburg. This could all change tomorrow and I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest. If this gets done Rays are screwed

[@RailsandStadiums]

It seems so crazy that everyone complains about Tropicana, which I like, yet are now going to build this. Opening up the outfield to light and widening the concourses would have been a much better idea than building a new ballpark.

[@CS_1989]

Waste of $$$ send them to Nashville. & change the name back 2 the Florida Marlins. They got the brightline train now u can get ppl bakNForth to the games. Simple fix

[@williammitravich4375]

You should be quite you don't even live in Florida

[@JonDoe-ln6nl]

Thank god!

[@brodiebrazil]

I’ll be quite