Rob Manfred

Gov. Ron DeSantis and baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred each gave their backing to building a new ballpark at Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus. But few details emerged on who's going to pay for it.

The meeting could include presentations on what the ballpark planned on Hillsborough College land could look like and how it would be financed. Also, county commissioners are scheduled to discuss the stadium.

Commissioner Rob Manfred says MLB is ready to step in after Tampa Bay and eight other teams opted to split from FanDuel owner Main Street Sports Group, which lost approximately $200 million in 2025.

The estimated $1.7 billion deal is anticipated to formally close later this week. MLB owners unanimously approved the sale Monday.

The Orlando group said it has a lender for the largest and safest portion of the money needed to buy a baseball franchise. Known as senior debt, it makes it easier and cheaper for the Dreamers to borrow.

Any concerns raised about hosting postseason games in a smaller venue did not carry enough weight to prevent the Rays from maintaining the home-field advantage gained while Tropicana Field’s is repaired.

In an interview with Chris Russo on SiriusXM, commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated that "we believe in the market" and remains hopeful the Trop will be ready for the Rays in 2026.

After delays in voting to approve financing bonds for the new ballpark, Commissioner Rob Manfred said there has been no thought to allowing the team to explore a relocation.

With St. Petersburg just beginning the assessment of the hurricane-ravaged Tropicana Field, Rob Manfred is "hopeful" the team can play in the home market until the new stadium is built.

Speaking after an owners' meeting, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said there needs to be a resolution "right now" to stadium situations involving the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics.

Manfred made the statement a month after Major League Baseball nixed the Rays' split-season plan with Montreal.