The county and city delayed the bond question because they did not have enough votes to get it passed. While some elected officials are holding out hope, that’s not likely to change in the coming weeks, particularly with the new members elected to the commission and the council.

A combination of hurricane damage to Tropicana Field and political delays on financing means it is highly unlikely the Tampa Bay Rays’ planned new stadium will be ready for the 2028 season, if at all

The significant uncertainty has led to questions about the Rays leaving St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region following the 2025 season.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced that damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton and financing delays will impact plans for their new stadium.

The St. Petersburg City Council was on board and residents seemed to be too, given their overwhelming re-election of Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders, a key Welch ally and avowed Rays deal supporter. The Pinellas County Commission gave its thumbs up too, with a vote on a bond resolution a mere formality to take place in late October.

This week has been a roller-coaster for the Tampa Bay Rays, Pinellas County and St. Petersburg leaders after two high-stakes public meetings. The team said the deal to build a new stadium was off, county leaders decided to delay the financing vote and city leaders are not fixing Tropicana Field's roof.

The Tampa Bay Rays stadium plan is all but dead. Why it matters: The deal's apparent implosion at Thursday's St. Petersburg City Council meeting furthers uncertainty over the future of baseball in the city and what will become of Tropicana Field and the surrounding land.