Update (29 September): The Rays have called off the banner for the postseason. Perhaps best to not tell your fans you’re leaving in the middle of a pennant chase. Thoughts below stand though… Earlier this week, Tampa Bay Rays President Matt Silverman indicated that the team plans to hoist a banner this postseason. However, this banner isn’t to celebrate any achievement of the Rays but instead promote the team’s long-rumored move to Montreal as part of a “sister-city” agreement with Tampa. And this makes total sense, because what’s a better way to thank a fanbase for their support than to advertise your departure in the middle of a pennant chase. Under this deal, the Rays would split their home games between Tampa and Montreal (41 games a piece) and become the first MLB franchise with 2 home stadiums in different countries. Underpinning this decision by the Rays however, is a series of considerations about public financing for stadiums, baseball economics, and the viability of baseball in Florida writ-large.
Montreal Bay Ex-Rays
Montreal Bay Ex-Rays
Montreal Bay Ex-Rays
Update (29 September): The Rays have called off the banner for the postseason. Perhaps best to not tell your fans you’re leaving in the middle of a pennant chase. Thoughts below stand though… Earlier this week, Tampa Bay Rays President Matt Silverman indicated that the team plans to hoist a banner this postseason. However, this banner isn’t to celebrate any achievement of the Rays but instead promote the team’s long-rumored move to Montreal as part of a “sister-city” agreement with Tampa. And this makes total sense, because what’s a better way to thank a fanbase for their support than to advertise your departure in the middle of a pennant chase. Under this deal, the Rays would split their home games between Tampa and Montreal (41 games a piece) and become the first MLB franchise with 2 home stadiums in different countries. Underpinning this decision by the Rays however, is a series of considerations about public financing for stadiums, baseball economics, and the viability of baseball in Florida writ-large.