Tampa Bay Rays Will Be Homeless for the next 4+ years - The Michael Kay Show TMKS Nov 19 2024

[@Chilltownify]

Screw these rich owners, let them all pay for their own damn stadiums!

[@philanderphillips2309]

Here Here!!!

[@robertweisberg5570]

They will find another city to foot the bill.

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Tampa had 2nd lowest attendance in 2024. Why would baseball expand? Oops, great idea if tax payers pay for stadium and pay for any required repairs.

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

@@irwinsaltzman979 they’ve never been given a chance in the city of Tampa

[@tonygoochafanchi578]

As a long time Tampa resident, it was a mistake to put the stadium in St Pete, and even MLB Discouraged this when Tampa was looking at expansion, the physical location, not to mention the Trop stadium is not designed for making money. The penny pinching owner has known this for years and spends the bare minimum on the team. The trip to the Trop is horrid on a good day, but to do this as a season ticket holder for 60+ games is not sustainable. The Tampa area fans, and even Orlando based fans want a stadium in Tampa proper to allow frequent visits. If St Pete loses the Rays, the hope is Tampa or Orlando steps up and gives them a home

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@alesitercrimson24]

@@HunterMaggiacomo its 11 thousand seat stadium. This isnt long term bro stop lol

[@andysorensen1737]

My grandparents used to live in Pinellas County and when the Rays started I asked my grandpa if he’d adopt them. He said something that’s stuck with me all those years: “Why would I go down to St. Pete for a baseball game?” It’s clear 25 years later it still rings true and I feel bad for the fans caught in the middle.

[@JF-xw4ef]

What is he talking about in saying “Is there a third market?” Orlando, Sacramento, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Portland, Indianapolis, Nashville, Salt Lake City, San Antonio and Columbus are all in the top 32 media markets and don’t have MLB teams. Austin and Hartford are just outside that group.

[@wurm90125]

Hartford is a piss crater and sits 1/2 way between Boston and New York. That's three teams that are less than 100 miles away that will not allow expansion or relocation of a team there.

[@JF-xw4ef]

@@wurm90125 I agree, Hartford isn’t feasible, maybe not Austin either, but all the others would be legitimate candidates.

[@Badfinger-m5v]

What the hell is Michael talking about? Regional sports networks are almost obsolete. They're going bankrupt.

[@jp783]

He has no fucking idea what he’s saying

[@joetriolo9161]

Not in New York and Philly.

[@alesitercrimson24]

@@joetriolo9161 or Boston

[@philanderphillips2309]

If a team in any sport cannot compete financially, and cannot build their own stadiums WITHOUT digging in the publics pockets, then they DO NOT deserve to exist. Contraction should be on the table for the A’s & Rays then. The business model of the public paying for these stadiums, that they can’t even afford to go to, is antiquated.

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@vgymgy1]

At this point if i was a player in the Rays i’ll be asking to be traded.

[@alesitercrimson24]

Their best player isnt even on their team as an active player because he is a sexual predator. The whole franchise is a mess

[@josephmangone4250]

Rays to Montreal and change to the beloved Expos

[@alesitercrimson24]

Montreal deserves the Expos back and Seattle deserves the Super Sonics back

[@brandon62222]

With this current ownership group, I 100% bet on it 8 ways, and on Sunday, there is NO deal to be made in Tampa Bay or any market. The Letter two hours before the county commission meeting to discuss the bonds needed to fund the stadium really made the Pinellas Commission angry than just last night after St. Peterburg city council had approved the over 23 million dollars in funds to repair the roof at Tropicana Field Team President Brian Alud said to the media when asked is a deal still on the table. No, there is no deal on the table, so City Council is pissed off and pushes the vote to no later than January 9th for their bonds and re-voted on the repair to Tropicana field, and it gets voted down a massive margin

[@JF-xw4ef]

Raleigh is over 200 miles away from Charlotte.

[@PWdogdad]

168 miles

[@JF-xw4ef]

@ Yes, my mistake, went from memory. Still a completely separate market.

[@GaryGettenberg]

They can’t play in Steinbrenner field. It’s only got 11000 seats and more importantly it’s an OUTDOOR stadium. I went to game in Tropicana field last year. A day game there will draw ZERO, because it is much too hot to sit in the stadium in the summer.

[@PHN-2024]

Forget about expansion, MLB should be Contracting back to 28 Teams with the A’s and RAYS disappearing and the Milwaukee Brewers moving back to the American League to have 14 teams in each League (NL/AL) with Two Divisions of 7 teams within each League. The Top 3 teams per Division make the Post Season (12 Playoff Teams Total) with each Division Winner earning an opening round bye. To appease the MLBPA the Active Rosters would expand to 28 to absorb the 52 MLB spots lost with the addition of the New 56 spots. Moreover, the 40-man roster for each team would increase to 42.

[@aaabbb4353]

You'd still hve ALDS/CS & NLDS/CS ? No more wild cards ?

[@thomasgotting6105]

This would be a very good idea.

[@WaitingForTheHook]

Pipe dream. Leagues never get smaller and never will.

[@volt91997]

Baseball is dying perfect time to get smaller

[@PHN-2024]

@@aaabbb4353 Yes, there would still be each of those Rounds (WC/DLS/LCS). For example in the National League there would be 6 playoff teams 3 from each Division (East/West). The 2 Division Winners earn Byes, then the remaining 4 playoff teams play a 3-game Wild Card Series (WCS) seeded by record and All Home games for the Higher Seed. Then the WCS Winners Play the Divisional Winners in a 5-game NLDS. The NLDS Winners would then Play the each other in a 7-game NLCS and the NL Pennant Winner advaces to Play the American League Pennant Winner in a 7-Game World Series for the MLB Championship.

[@rickhale3944]

There's always Montreal

[@D2h2766]

Utah will be ready to go! Fastest groing state in the country!

[@LaLaGrunge]

A new stadium should be built in North Tampa near or in Ybor City.

[@user-zl9ce6bt8v]

Move them to Raleigh & change the name. Carolina will welcome them with open arms.

[@patrickstapleton3377]

Bingo!!

[@Plant1983]

“I love Portland”… “why?”…. “I don’t want to say”….. 😂… just say it bro…

[@MrNaturalSez]

Has anyone considered hurricanes are going to continue pummeling Florida and they are getting more destructive all the time?

[@danielk9067]

I've been to Tampa but I'm not intimately familiar with the area. However, it is my understanding from locals that the main reason the Trop doesn't draw many fans is because of its location in St. Pete which is difficult to get to from the rest of the metro area, particularly the densely populated downtown Tampa which is home to many students and young people. The Rays are a good team and their high tv ratings do indicate their popularity. I would argue their horrible stadium has been a drag on the franchise for decades because it contributes to a lack of character and culture.

[@akou6567]

Its also too far to drive too especially on week days during rush hour; 1 hour + from downtown Tampa, or Clearwater, or New Port Rickey, or Wesley Chapel or Lakeland, etc Also not many live in St Pete who are sports fans, heck most aren't even there in the summer, they're snowbirds or business folk. Its a BAD location in the 1st place geography wise, and then you have such a horrible stadium too. Also the public really hates the owner and the BS he keeps pulling trying to move. He lost a lot of support when he tried to move the Rays to Canada

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@mattsmith4589]

PLEASE EXTEND YOUR CONTRACT MICHAEL!

[@traincndr1]

saint peterburg and pinallas county florida is 100% to blame 4 this

[@dmvtrax645]

If you don’t want a new stadium, a city who has no mlb team will gladly take your team. Remember that. It could be Utah, Portland etc.

[@lordbraunschweiger7814]

NO matter what they are going to be in a AAA facility for 4 years, nashville Charlotte ... Salt Lake .. Portland doesn't even have a AAA facility to play in .

[@luvmuppets]

What is Michael talking about? The Rays can play in Tropicana Field in 2026 if they repair it.

[@PHN-2024]

Kay believes the County might Not want to Spent the $55M+ Cost to Repair Tropicana Field if the RAYS will relocate in 2-3 years.

[@CompWin7Helper]

Not true the county might not pay for the repairs what makes you think the owners will?

[@luvmuppets]

@@CompWin7Helper Do you think the owners would rather play in 11,000 seat stadiums while paying millions of dollars for the privilege to someone like the Yankees? Not to mention the sweltering heat and rain delays.

[@PHN-2024]

@@CompWin7Helper The RAYS Owners Don't Own Tropicana Field so Why would they being Paying for Repairs. If You are Renting would you be pay to Fix your Home's Damaged Roof?

[@chrisweidner4768]

Thinking places like Nashville are pushing for them to move, or Oakland for example. Far superior revenue stream possibilities.

[@IAguirre1948]

The Rays need to move to Montreal, the largest city in North America without a team or to Orlando-85 miles away, where they want to build a stadium.

[@enriquethegreat7847]

Im sure it won't happen but bring them to Orlando, FL

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@enriquethegreat7847]

​@@HunterMaggiacomo the only issue I'm seeing is that it rains a lot here in the summer and making up games with double headers kills your pitching

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

@ for sure, renovating can be done to maybe add one of the rays original ideas for a roof when they were proposing next the pier, years and years ago. Hard to explain but if you looked it up you may find a reference. A cover can always be constructed

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

@ found a reference for you. images.app.goo.gl/VULxMSxJeKgN7eDF7

[@anzalone138]

Montreal rays??

[@LuisHervias]

Rays move to Orlando Florida.

[@marblehillpjs]

The problem with the rays is where the ball park is located

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@user-bmw528]

Expand MLB? There’s not good starting pitching for the teams now.

[@alesitercrimson24]

There is. The teams are the ones who pull them after 5 innings

[@ltsgoyanks]

There is clearly not enough pitchers for expansion...

[@ltsgoyanks]

You have to consider pitching for Rookie, A AA and AAA for each new team as well. Major league teams barely have 4 starting pitchers... they would have ro expand the roster to include more relievers for sure.

[@jeffsly3230]

Omaha has a beautiful ballpark, but MLB will never go

[@pinstrps]

Baseball needs fewer teams not more!

[@dwaynewade349]

I thought Tampa Bay was gonna get a new stadium. Or did I miss something?

[@vdoggydogg3922]

You missed alot

[@99somerville]

312 million in taxpayer money for bonds and 55 million for repairs to the Trop. MLB can pay the 55 if it is so important for MLB to be there.

[@thegreatone9923]

Move to Montreal

[@garrysaint-vil725]

I was about to write that 😂

[@bcranford714]

I would love that but I don't think MLB wanna go back there

[@philanderphillips2309]

@@bcranford714They don’t.

[@wurm90125]

That's 2 markets where taxpayers have told billionaire sports owners "fuck you, we won't do what you tell us." These guys have the money and ability to finance the stadium privately. Who benefits from a new stadium? The team owners and their fans. Who should be responsible for bearing the cost? The owners and their fans. Even if there is a redevelopment or housing tied to it, that's all to benefit PRIVATE industry.

[@robertpuffer9721]

Move them to Oakland. A paid for ballpark is already there.

[@kenhutchings4790]

That stadium is a dump

[@mikehouse9952]

Salt Lake City is a far better city to expand to than Portland.

[@frankgraham1996]

Maybe they can play street ball somewhere.

[@Drummer8282]

Rays will move to Montreal and play at Olympic Stadium while a new stadium is built in Montreal. - the Rays proposed playing half their games in Montreal just a short while ago which means someone in Montreal is willing to partner with them and build a ballpark. - Bell Canada just sold their stake in MLSE for $4.7B. They must have something big in mind which required them to free up cash. Bell Canada is also the owner of sports television network, TSN, which has lost the broadcast rights of most major sports to their competitor network, Sportsnet. Buying the Rays and moving them to Montreal would give Bell plenty of games to show on their network to compete with the Blue Jays on Sportsnet.

[@HunterMaggiacomo]

The Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field is a win-win for Tampa Bay baseball. The stadium is already built, saving millions compared to a new ballpark, and puts the Rays in a central Tampa location, making games more accessible for fans. The Yankees can still use Steinbrenner for spring training while relocating their Tarpons to a revamped facility like Walter Fuller Park, ensuring both teams thrive. This deal would boost local businesses, reduce public costs, and give Tampa a stronger MLB presence. It’s a smart move for the city, the fans, and the future of baseball here. Let’s make it happen!

[@keysersoze503]

Can you imagine the quality of baseball players after another expansion. Some of them look like they had no coaching in the minors now. Why the f**k should taxpayer money subsidize stadiums when its a known fact how little revenue they return to their municipalities?

[@metfish]

Who wears a hoodie under a sports coat?

[@Gemni65]

I thought it was illegal to be homeless in floracist

[@garrysaint-vil725]

Maybe that might move Milwaukee back to the AL and the Astros move back to the NL west maybe that ok bc it closer to the western areas

[@JOELTILSON]

Cheapskate owners are ruining baseball.

[@haydukethor]

Shameful two teams don’t have a stadium. MLB has tons of money have them build the stadiums

[@richarddixon1496]

Orlando is dying for a team

[@garrysaint-vil725]

They ain’t that far off from there 😝 maybe Orlando city stadium 🏟️ maybe a good choice? Or maybe Disney arena stadium

[@michael-rc5pv]

They can play in a minor league park nobody goes to the games anyway 😂

[@richardzink6026]

Move the team they barely get 20 k most nights if that

[@notoriouseagle1074]

San Antonio and OKC are underrated choices for expansion/relocation.

[@timmanto1022]

You need one on the east side. Maybe Indianapolis or Jacksonville.

[@stevenklocinski8558]

This is really sad as a baseball fan. I hate the state of FL but the Rays deserve a true home.

[@briangreenberg6021]

How about Montreal, Nashville, or Charlotte?

[@christiancouture9643]

Forget Montreal folks. Business community has money, know that a franchise is viable a take value all the time, but nobody wants to invest.

[@silencejames]

I live in Tennessee nashville isn't going to help financially for a baseball stadium after paying for the Titans new arena.

[@PHN-2024]

I didn’t realize that the NFL’s Tennessee Titians were a “Arena Football Team”.

[@TroyGoodwin]

Well, the titans will be playing at Nissan Stadium II, a new indoor stadium-which is currently under construction.

[@PHN-2024]

@@TroyGoodwin I hear the Titans will be installing Shades to block out the Sun from Windows throughout the Stadium.

[@TroyGoodwin]

@@PHN-2024 That could come in real handy for late afternoon game because Jerry Jones refuses to close curtains to the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

[@joelincolnlincoln6315]

Brooklyn hipsters or brooklyn woke. Theybwill sell out build a stadium in coney island

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

Nobody seems to notice that things are falling apart all around us, talking about expanding a major league sports leagues it's just a stupid thing in my mind. With all the entertainment venues available to people and what is going to be lots and lots less money in the future for people to spend, you're going to see a lot of these things go away.