Rays' owner discussing sale of team to Florida developer
June 18 - Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg is in talks to sell the franchise to a group led by a Florida-based residential developer.
Patrick Zalupski, a home builder in Jacksonville, was identified as the potential lead buyer in a deal that values the team at about $1.7 billion, according to a report Wednesday by Sportico. He already has executed a letter of intent to purchase the team, per the report.
Sternberg bought the Rays in 2004 for $200 million.
The Rays issued a statement responding to the report, confirming that the team has "recently commenced exclusive discussions with a group led by Patrick Zalupski, Bill Cosgrove, Ken Babby and prominent Tampa Bay investors concerning a possible sale of the team."
According to the Rays' statement, neither side will have further comment during the discussions.
According to Zalupski's online bio, he is the founder, president and CEO of Dream Finders Homes. The company was founded in December 2008 and closed on 27 homes in Jacksonville the following year. Now, with an expanded footprint to many parts of the United States, Dream Finders has closed on more than 31,100 homes since its founding.
He also is a member of the board of trustees at the University of Florida.
A year ago, Sternberg had a deal in place to build a new stadium in the Historic Gas Plant District, a reimagined recreational, retail and residential district in St. Petersburg to replace Tropicana Field. However, after Hurricane Milton shredded the roof of the stadium last October, forcing the Rays into temporary quarters, Sternberg's commitment has been less than resolute, saying the team would have to bear excess costs that were not in the budget.
In March, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and some other owners began to privately push Sternberg to sell the franchise, The Athletic reported.
It is unclear what Zalupski's group, if it ultimately goes through with the purchase and is approved by MLB owners, would do for a permanent stadium.
The Rays currently are playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, located at the site of the New York Yankees' spring training facility and home of their Single-A Tampa Tarpons.
--Field Level Media
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
MLB roundup: Rays erase 8-run deficit, stun Orioles
June 19 - Junior Caminero drove in Yandy Diaz with a seventh-inning single to cap a four-hit performance and give the host Tampa Bay Rays their first lead as they overcame an eight-run deficit to claim a 12-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Tampa Bay's Jonathan Aranda collected three hits and matched Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Caminero with two RBIs. Diaz, Taylor Walls, Christopher Morel, and Josh Lowe each drove in a run for the Rays, who banged out 18 hits to erase the 8-0 lead Baltimore built in the second inning. Baltimore's Colton Cowser and Ramon Laureano each launched a three-run homer and Cedric Mullins also went deep. Gunnar Henderson added an RBI single for the Orioles, who did not record a hit after the second. Mason Montgomery (1-1) threw one scoreless inning and picked up his first career win. Andrew Kittredge (1-1) took the loss after allowing four runs in the seventh. Dodgers 4, Padres 3 Pinch hitter Will Smith belted a game-ending home run as host Los Angeles extended its winning streak to five games by beating San Diego. Emmet Sheehan went four strong innings in his return from Tommy John surgery and Justin Wrobleski (2-2) followed with five innings as the Dodgers moved one win away from a four-game sweep. Sheehan gave up one run on three hits in his first appearance since the 2023 playoffs. Wrobleski (2-2) yielded two ninth-inning runs (one earned) before Smith won it on a home run to right field against Robert Suarez (1-3). Angels 3, Yankees 2 Mike Trout scored the tiebreaking run on an eighth-inning error by Anthony Volpe as visiting Los Angeles handed reeling New York another loss. Nolan Schanuel and Jo Adell homered for the Angels, who have won the first three games of the four-game series and will pursue the first four-game road sweep of the Yankees on Thursday afternoon. Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered in the second inning to snap New York's 30-inning scoreless streak. Cody Bellinger went deep in the fourth for the Yankees, who have scored just six runs during a six-game losing streak -- their longest skid since a nine-game run in 2023. Red Sox 3, Mariners 1 Garrett Crochet pitched six strong innings and was backed by a pair of home runs as Boston defeated host Seattle to take two of three in the series. Crochet (7-4) allowed one run on six hits and fanned eight with no walks to guide the Red Sox to their seventh win in eight games. Marcelo Mayer opened the scoring with a solo homer and Trevor Story cracked the difference-making two-run shot in the fourth. Luis Castillo (4-5) gave up three runs on three hits during his six-inning stint. Randy Arozarena doubled in the second and scored on a Crochet wild pitch to account for the Mariners' run. Blue Jays 8, Diamondbacks 1 Eric Lauer struck out a season-best eight and Bo Bichette notched three hits, highlighted by a leadoff homer, as Toronto handled visiting Arizona. Lauer (3-1) allowed one run and four hits in five-plus innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits, three walks and three RBIs while Addison Barger and Ernie Clement each contributed three hits. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4) gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. Corbin Carroll, who tripled and scored Arizona's lone run in the sixth, left in the eighth after getting hit by a pitch in the left hand. X-rays proved negative. Phillies 4, Marlins 2 Bryson Stott hit a three-run home run and Ranger Suarez tossed seven strong innings as visiting Philadelphia beat Miami. Suarez (6-1) allowed one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Alec Bohm had three hits and Stott added a single for the Phillies, who have won six of their past seven. Connor Norby hit a solo homer and Eric Wagaman had two hits for the Marlins, who threatened to tie the game in the ninth. Heriberto Hernandez began the inning with a double and scored on Dane Myers' one-out single, but Matt Strahm got the save. Braves 5, Mets 0 Chris Sale pitched 8 2/3 strong innings and Atlanta blanked visiting New York. Sale (5-4) fanned seven while allowing five hits and a walk. The Braves have taken the first two games of the three-game series and won five of their last six. The Mets have lost a season-worst five straight games. The Atlanta offense was sparked by home runs from Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson. Ozzie Albies and Olson each had two hits. Astros 11, Athletics 4 Jose Altuve and Victor Caratini each slammed a three-run homer during a seven-run seventh inning to help Houston maul the Athletics. Mauricio Dubon also homered as the Astros racked up a season-high 20 hits while winning for the seventh time in eight games. Altuve, Caratini, Jake Meyers, Jeremy Pena and Cam Smith had three hits apiece. Nick Kurtz homered among three hits and drove in two runs for the Athletics, who have lost back-to-back games following a season-high four-game winning streak. Rockies 3, Nationals 1 Michael Toglia hit his third home run in two games, German Marquez pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and visiting Colorado sent Washington to its 11th consecutive loss. Jordan Beck had two hits including a homer for the Rockies, who have won four straight for the first time this season. Seth Halvorsen pitched a hitless ninth inning for his fifth save. Brady House had a second straight two-hit game for the Nationals, who went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Mitchell Parker (4-8) took a tough-luck loss after permitting one run while fanning eight in six innings. Royals 6, Rangers 3 Maikel Garcia had a three-run home run and a clutch RBI triple to help Kansas City defeat Texas for a second straight day in Arlington, Texas. Royals starter Kris Bubic (6-4) allowed three runs while scattering nine hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings. Carlos Estevez tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 20th save. Sam Haggerty and Wyatt Langford had three hits each and Adolis Garcia added two for the Rangers. Patrick Corbin (4-6) was tagged for four runs on six hits in five innings. Reds 4, Twins 2 (6 innings) Spencer Steer belted a go-ahead two-run homer, doubled and scored twice to lead Cincinnati to a rain-shortened win over visiting Minnesota. The contest was stopped after a lengthy delay with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cincinnati starter Nick Lodolo (5-5) surrendered a home run to Byron Buxton on his first pitch of the game following a 2-hour, 7-minute rain delay. Lodolo ended up allowing two runs on three hits in six innings. Matt McLain and Will Benson each drove in a run for the Reds, who earned their fourth straight win and their ninth in 11 games. Twins right-hander Bailey Ober gave up four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Guardians 4, Giants 2 Daniel Schneemann hit a three-run home run, the Cleveland bullpen did a masterful job for a second straight game and the Guardians made it two straight at San Francisco. Logan Allen (5-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball and Jose Ramirez hit a run-scoring single in the first for the Guardians. Emmanuel Clase tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his 16th save. Patrick Bailey's fifth-inning homer accounted for both of the Giants' runs. Justin Verlander (0-4) came off the injured list following a one-month absence and yielded four runs, three earned, in 4 2/3 innings. --Field Level Media
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
David Beckham shows off Inter Miami's incredible new stadium as 25,000-seater ‘new home' takes shape
DAVID BECKHAM has shown off the incredible progress of the new Inter Miami stadium. Dubbed Miami Freedom Park, the £747million ($1billion) project is scheduled to open in 2026. 7 7 Construction began as early as March and has seen rapid progress. Club owner Beckham took to Instagram to provide an update on the work following his team's Club World Cup opener against Al Ahly, which they drew 0-0. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was pictured on the building site inside the concrete shell of the stadium. New knight Becks was seen with his hands raised out wide as he wore a white shirt, tan shorts and an Inter Miami hat. The foundations of the ground could be seen behind him, along with construction equipment and a few workers holding a discussion. In the far distance, a grandstand could be seen part-built, doubtless the first look at what the 25,000-capacity stadium will look like when finished. The second picture on the slide showed Beckham alongside his child, Cruz, and wife, Victoria, as they stood in front of a model of what the entire area will look like when the work is finished. Another picture showed Beckham with his arm around Cruz while they wore high-vis jackets and black hard hats. Beckham, 50, captioned his post: "Our beautiful new home is taking shape. For me, Jorge & Jose Mas our dream for our club is becoming a reality. Miami Freedom Park… coming soon." Victoria replied under it saying: "It is going to be incredible!!!! We are all so proud!!!! Xxxx." The venue itself is located right near Miami airport. The project was green-lit by the city of Miami following a referendum in which it got 60 per cent approval. Freedom Park will be 100 per cent privately funded, while Inter Miami will pay 57 per cent over fair market value in rent to the city. It's claimed that rent alone from the 131-acre development area will bring the city $2.67bn over the term of the lease. This land will feature a 58-acre public park - the largest activated park in Miami - and will feature youth athletic fields for the community, entertainment-based retail and attractions, restaurants, hotels, shops, office space and an entertainment venue to host major international stars in addition to concerts that will take place in the stadium. The club says more than 15,000 jobs will be created both directly and indirectly through the project, which should be complete by the end of the year. This all comes with the backdrop of a huge rift in the Beckham family with Brooklyn buying a £10.5m property in Hollywood last week with his wife, Nicola Peltz, as revealed by The Sun. News of Brooklyn's house purchase comes after he snubbed his dad on Father's Day, which Nicola being accused of driving a wedge in the family and 'effectively holding him hostage'. 7 7 7 WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN What do David Beckham's tattoos mean? Hands Starting with the hands, and David Beckham has the word "Love" inked across the top of his left hand, with a swallow on either side. This is joined by the numbers 723, a combination of the shirts he famously wore for Manchester United and later Real Madrid. On his little finger, he has the year he was married. Becks also has a small female-stick figure designed by his daughter Harper. The devoted husband has "Posh' tattooed on a finger as a nod to wife Victoria Beckham 's Spice Girls nickname. Arms Becks has two sleeve tattoos on both his arms with the centrepieces paying tribute to his marriage to Victoria. The most famous of his body art comes in the shape of her name along the inside of his forearm, which is inked in Sanskrit. Both Posh and Becks have Hebrew tattoos, which they got to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary. The matching tatts translate to, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine". Meanwhile, Becks also has a separate rose inking on his left arm to mark the couple's tenth anniversary. Neck One of Beckham's most famous tattoos is on his neck, which is a gothic style cross and wings. It is symbolic of to his religion and acts as a protective guardian of his son Romeo, whose name is tattooed just below the angel wings. Beckham also has the name of his daughter, Harper, on the side of his neck. This was later updated to include the words "Pretty Lady", to mark her fourth birthday. Back Beckham's back tattoos serve as tribute to his sons. He has angel wings at the top as a sign of protection for them. Becks has both his eldest on Brooklyn, and his youngest son Cruz 's names inked across his back. Body Beckham has a large chest tattoo that is an image of himself as Jesus, with three cherubs representing his sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz. The footy ace also has a vertical tattoo down his left side in Chinese symbols - this translates as 'Death and life have determined appointments". Paying homage to his father, he has an inking of a ship at full mast - which is identical to the same one his dad has.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- Reuters
Panthers dent, crack Stanley Cup mere hours after winning
June 18 - It didn't take long for the Florida Panthers to make their first impression on the Stanley Cup after winning it for a second time in as many years. Less than 12 hours after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to win the coveted trophy again, the Panthers appeared to crack the bowl of Lord Stanley's Cup and dent the base of the trophy. The crack, as well as a slight inward dent, on the bowl reportedly occurred during Florida's on-ice celebration on Tuesday after the Panthers routed Edmonton 5-1 in Sunrise, Fla. As for the damage to the base, while no cause was cited, it was spotted at a local watering hole on Wednesday. Reports indicate that the keepers of the Cup will repair the 37-pound trophy in time for Sunday's celebration parade. Damage to the Stanley Cup is far from new for the 132-year-old piece of hardware. Players have had a long history of accidentally dropping the trophy during events. Other instances include a member of the 1962 Toronto Maple Leafs dropping the NHL's championship trophy into a bonfire. Another example came in 2008 when a newborn daughter of a Detroit Red Wings player defecated in the bowl while sitting in it (that player reportedly drank from it later that day.) --Field Level Media
