Part 7/9:
This ownership transition raises important questions about the franchise’s future trajectory. Critics highlight that a change of ownership alone doesn’t guarantee success, particularly given the shifting landscape of Major League Baseball attendance and fan engagement. The era of guaranteed sellouts following stadium openings appears to be over, as attendance figures have become more volatile and PR-focused.
Additional complexities involve the relationship between Tampa, St. Petersburg, and nearby Orlando. While the deal centers on keeping the team in Tampa, there is lingering uncertainty about the franchise’s relationship with its previous stadium, Tropicana Field, and whether it can be redeveloped into a first-class ballpark within the next few years.