Is Orlando About to Steal the Rays? The Battle for Baseball in Florida Heats Up
As the Tampa Bay Rays face stadium troubles, Orlando's Dreamers group is making a push to bring Major League Baseball to their city. Could this be the next big relocation? Here’s everything you need to know about this heated battle.
Spring training might be underway, but the Tampa Bay Rays’ future is anything but certain. With mounting stadium troubles and the Orlando Dreamers making a strong push for a Major League Baseball team, the possibility of relocation looms large. Could the Rays really leave Tampa Bay for Orlando? Let’s break it down.
The Rays’ Stadium Crisis
The Rays have faced stadium issues for years, but things have reached a critical point. Here’s what’s happening:
- Tropicana Field’s Problems: The stadium has sustained significant roof and interior damage, with repairs estimated at $56 million and no concrete plan in place to fix it.
- Temporary Home in Tampa: With Tropicana Field in limbo, the Rays will play at Steinbrenner Field—the Yankees’ spring training site—for the 2025 season. This is only a short-term solution.
- Delays in the New Stadium Plan: The Rays were set to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg, with city and county approval. However, a one-month delay has now pushed completion back to 2029, leading the Rays to claim they can’t afford the financial gap.
As the Rays waver on their stadium commitment, Orlando is stepping in with an offer they hope MLB can’t refuse.
The Orlando Dreamers’ Big Play
The Orlando Dreamers, a group led by baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin and originally spearheaded by the late Pat Williams, have long pursued an MLB team. Now, with the Rays in trouble, they see an opportunity.
Their proposal includes:
- A High-Tech Dome Stadium: A 45,000-seat, glass-domed stadium designed to resemble a massive greenhouse, complete with retail, office space, and a hotel. The estimated cost? $2 billion.
- Strong Financial Backing: Orlando’s group claims to have secured $450 million in private investment and aims to match it with tourism tax funds.
- Orlando’s Tourism Advantage: The city attracts 74 million visitors annually—nearly double the number of Las Vegas, which recently secured the A’s relocation.
Is MLB Interested?
According to Barry Larkin, Commissioner Rob Manfred sees Orlando as a “realistic opportunity” for an MLB team. The question is whether that comes via relocation or expansion.
Historically, MLB has avoided placing multiple teams in close proximity unless the market can fully support them. With Tampa and Orlando just 90 miles apart, it’s unlikely both cities would keep teams. That means if Orlando gets an MLB franchise, it would likely be at Tampa Bay’s expense.
The Relocation Pattern
This situation mirrors the ongoing Oakland A’s saga, as well as the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox threatening relocation if they don’t get new publicly funded ballparks. The harsh reality? Cities often end up in bidding wars while fans are left powerless.
What Happens Next?
The Rays must decide on their stadium funding plan by the end of March. If they back out, Orlando’s bid suddenly becomes very real. Even if the Rays don’t plan to relocate, they can use the Orlando Dreamers as leverage to pressure Tampa Bay officials for more financial support.
So, is this just another MLB franchise playing the relocation game for more money? Or is Orlando truly about to steal the Rays? One thing is clear—the battle for baseball in Florida is far from over.
What do you think? Should the Rays move to Orlando, or fight to stay in Tampa Bay? Let us know in the comments!