Rays President Says 'Team Is Not for Sale' Despite Reported Pressure on Sternberg

The Tampa Bay Rays are not available for interested buyers.

"The team is not for sale," Rays president Matt Silverman said Thursday during an appearance on 95.3 WDAE (h/t Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). 

Silverman's comments come after Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported on Sunday that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and other team owners are pressuring Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the American League East club.

Drellich reported MLB wants the team to remain in Florida even if it is sold and is interested in the Ybor City neighborhood outside of Tampa if there is a move from St. Petersburg.

Orlando also remains a possibility. 

According to the report, the family of San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. is interested and has a more significant financial offer than one involving Joe Molloy, who was a minority owner of the New York Yankees from 1988 to 1998.

Still, Drellich's report also made it clear that "a sale is not close."

That is notable given Silverman's comments, as it seems like there isn't going to be an imminent change of ownership with the 2025 campaign looming. Tampa Bay starts the regular season on March 28 against the Colorado Rockies.

The Rays will also play the upcoming season at Steinbrenner Field, which is the Spring Training home of the division-rival New York Yankees. Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field and caused other damage in the fall.

Topkin and Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times reported in November that a damage assessment report sent to St. Petersburg City Council members estimated that it would cost approximately $55.7 million to repair the stadium in time for the 2026 campaign.

It is another variable hovering over the entire Rays organization alongside rumors of a future sale, but Silverman was adamant the team isn't available for purchase.