Part 6/9:
There’s skepticism over the actual commitment of Patrick Zelupsky and his partners, particularly because of the volatile nature of stadium development and economic factors influencing the region. The local mayor’s comments hint at hopefulness but stop short of granting full assurance, emphasizing that nothing is certain until official approval is obtained.
Furthermore, the timeline for opening a new stadium remains uncertain. Industry insiders speculate that, given current conditions, the earliest realistic date for a new ballpark in Tampa might be 2030, and even that presumes the failure of plans to reopen or redevelop Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.