St. Petersburg Reverses Decision to Give Rays $23M for Tropicana Field Roof Repairs

After initially voting Thursday to give the Tampa Bay Rays more than $23 million to repair roof damage to Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton in October, the St. Petersburg City Council has reversed course, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

The St. Petersburg City Council initially voted 4-3 to provide funding to fix the roof at Tropicana Field in time for the 2026 MLB season, but has ultimately decided against approving the repairs.

Before Thursday's vote, the Pinellas County Commission agreed to delay a vote on revenue bonds necessary to finance a new $1.3 billion stadium for the Rays until December. The Associated Press noted that the project "is in serious jeopardy according to Rays executives."

"I can't say I'm confident about anything," Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members.

On Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton tore through Tampa Bay, taking the roof of Tropicana Field on its way.

Along with damage to the roof, there was significant water damage and repairs are estimated to be around $55.7 million. If Tropicana Field is eventually repaired, the Rays are under contract to remain there for three more seasons.

Because of the damage, the Rays will play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' spring training facility. Steinbrenner Field is just across the Old Tampa Bay from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Steinbrenner Field is significantly smaller than Tropicana Field. It holds just 11,000 fans compared to 42,735 fans at the Trop.

While the Rays will have to settle for a smaller venue, they'll at least get to stay in Tampa Bay in front of a home crowd.

"We're committed to the fans in Tampa Bay," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said at an owners meeting. "Given all that's happened in that market, we're focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay right now."