MLB Praises Rays' Stadium Plan Under New Ownership

Commissioner Manfred and owners express optimism about the team's future in Tampa Bay.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and team owners have voiced strong support for the Tampa Bay Rays' stadium plan under the team's new ownership group led by Patrick Zalupski. Manfred said the league is "optimistic" about finding "a solution that's good for the Rays in the Tampa Bay region, and good for baseball."

Why it matters

The Rays have long struggled to find a suitable stadium solution in the Tampa Bay area, with previous plans failing to materialize. This new ownership group and stadium proposal represents a critical juncture for the franchise's future in the region.

The details

The Rays were recently purchased by a new ownership group led by Patrick Zalupski, who has quickly made progress on a stadium plan that has earned praise from Manfred and other MLB owners. Details of the specific stadium proposal have not been released, but Manfred expressed confidence that it will provide a "good" outcome for both the team and the Tampa Bay community.

  • The Rays were recently purchased by a new ownership group.
  • Manfred and MLB owners voiced their support for the Rays' stadium plan on February 12, 2026.

The players

Rob Manfred

The Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Patrick Zalupski

The leader of the new ownership group that recently purchased the Tampa Bay Rays.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're optimistic that the new ownership group is going to be able to find a solution that's good for the Rays in the Tampa Bay region, and good for baseball.”

— Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball (tampabay.com)

What’s next

The Rays are expected to release more details about their stadium plan in the coming weeks and months as they work towards securing approval and funding.

The takeaway

After years of uncertainty, the Rays' new ownership group has quickly made progress on a stadium plan that has earned the praise and support of MLB's leadership, signaling a potential resolution to the team's long-standing facility issues in the Tampa Bay region.