Tampa's mayor and a county commissioner say Hillsborough County wants to be part of the Tampa Bay Rays' plan to split seasons between Florida and Montreal.
The Tampa Bay Times first reported on the Monday meeting between Rays owner Stu Sternberg, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, and Hillsborough County commissioner Ken Hagan.
Hagan previously led a failed effort to build a new baseball stadium in Ybor City.
In a statement, the Rays called the meeting a "meaningful step" in keeping the team in the Tampa Bay region after 2027, when its lease on Tropicana Field expires.
In response to the Tampa Bay Rays meeting with officials from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County this afternoon, the Rays have issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/LNYYgeL9rR
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) February 10, 2020
Sternberg's plan would have the Rays spend half a season in Florida and half in Montreal.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman wants the team to stay in Pinellas County - full-time. He declined to comment on Monday's meeting.
