The team issued a statement by principal owner Stuart Sternberg saying “a series of events” in October, which included severe damage to the the Trop and financing delays, led to what he called “this difficult decision.

The Rays said Hurricane Milton created an unexpected situation and project delays. Local officials say the Rays' reasons don't feel genuine.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays withdrew Thursday from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal's cost.