Sternberg refutes report of Rays sale talks, plans to build new ballpark

Rays owner Stuart Sternberg has no plans to sell the team and is committed to securing a new home and long-term future in Tampa Bay.

"I expect we will build a ballpark in Tampa Bay that will keep the Rays here for generations to come," Sternberg said, according to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times. "I also plan on remaining the Rays owner."

Sternberg's comments come on the heels of a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that the club is drawing multiple potential buyers who are interested in either keeping the team in Tampa Bay or relocating.

The Rays' primary objective remains to build a $1.2-billion stadium in either Tampa or St. Petersburg with Sternberg in talks with potential investors that would help fund the project, sources told Rosenthal.

Tampa Bay's lease at Tropicana Field is set to expire following the 2027 season. Sternberg and the Rays are hoping to build a new 30,000-seat stadium on the same site.