Tropicana Field

In a response letter sent Friday, the Rays said the agreements to build the new $1.3 billion stadium are in effect until one of the parties involved backs out or deadlines are reached.

The county commission sent the team a letter seeking a written answer. The Rays had said the deal was in jeopardy because a planned Oct. 29 vote on the bonds was delayed.

Tampa Bay is scheduled to play 19 of its first 22 games at home and 37 of 54 through May 28, then play 64 of its last 108 games on the road. The Rays are home for eight games each in July and August.

It was essentially buried after St. Petersburg City Council members delayed a vote on allocating bonds for the new stadium — and nixed paying for a new roof for storm-damaged Tropicana Field.

After delays in voting to approve financing bonds for the new ballpark, Commissioner Rob Manfred said there has been no thought to allowing the team to explore a relocation.

The vote to delay the purchase of bonds to construct a stadium came shortly after a letter from the Rays to the commission said the delays are making the deal unaffordable for the team.

Images captured by Tampa Bay Rays photographers show the extent of the damage, and the massive cleanup ahead.

With the Rays playing in Tampa this season and new St. Petersburg and Pinellas officials bringing new opinions to the table, the Tampa Bay Times' John Romano tells WUSF the team's future here is at great risk.

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg says Steinbrenner Field is the best fit for the team and its fan base. At about 11,000 seats, it’s also the largest of the spring training sites in Florida.

The repair timetable likely means the Rays will have to find a temporary place to play home games in 2025.

The money will go toward clean-up, including clearing pieces of roof that littered the ballpark and removing damaged turf.

The Budget, Finance and Taxation Committee reduced coverage limits specifically for Tropicana Field when renewing policies this year. The proposal by Brown & Brown passed in a unanimous vote.