It’s official: The Tampa Bay Rays have been sold to Jacksonville billionaire
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It’s official. The Tampa Bay Rays have been sold.
An ownership group led by 44-year-old billionaire Patrick Zalupski, CEO of Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes, has finalized the $1.7 billion purchase of the Major League Baseball franchise from longtime owner Stu Sternberg.
The transaction closed Tuesday following unanimous MLB approval last week.
“It’s an incredible honor to become the stewards of the Tampa Bay Rays, a franchise with a proud history and a bright future,” said Zalupski in a statement. “We are especially privileged to have been chosen by Stu Sternberg as his successors, and we’re all energized by the responsibility to serve Rays fans everywhere and this great game.
Commissioner Rob Manfred added, “Major League Baseball is pleased to welcome Patrick and his partners to the ownership ranks. Their collective experience and passion for the game will serve the Rays well as they enter this exciting new chapter."
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In late January, pottery artist Beth Miranda woke up before sunrise to a devastating call from her business partner, Ethan Fielder.
Their community studio, St. Pete Ceramics, was engulfed in flames.
The fire tore through much of the interior, including walls, shelving, tables, stools, and other equipment. Two rabbits that lived at the studio also died.
Miranda arrived at the studio, which is located at 593 22nd Street South in the Warehouse Arts District, around 5:15 a.m. after calling her husband in Philadelphia and taking a moment to process what she had just learned.
“I got here and dealt with everything. Then I sent a text to friends in the local clay community and said, ‘Guys, I just need prayer. This is happening,’” Miranda said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.
Fellow artists arrived with bagels, coffee, pizza, gloves, and a willingness to help however they could. Within roughly 36 hours, volunteers had helped empty and clean out the fire-damaged studio.