The attorney for the Tampa Bay Rays has sent a letter to St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman, notifying him that the Rays won't be pursuing a stadium in Ybor City.
According to the letter, which was also provided by Mayor Kriseman's office to NewsRadio 970 WFLA, team attorney John Higgins sent Kriseman the team's "Decision Notice" that, in accordance with the team's Memorandum of Understanding between the Rays and St. Pete, the Rays won't attempt to negotiate "New Agreements" or prepare a "Termination Amendment".
Last week, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg told reporters the deal between the team and Hillsborough County leaders for a new stadium in Ybor City fell through and wouldn't come to fruition. The county wanted the Rays to pony up half--at least $400-million dollars--of the cost of the estimated $900-million dollar stadium. The county also provided no new tax money to fund the ballpark.
The Rays current contract with St. Pete has the team playing at Tropicana Field through 2027.