TAMPA, Fla. — There’s more questions than answers surrounding the future of the Tampa Bay Rays, but fans hope that ends when the Rays new ownership group speaks Tuesday for the first time since sealing the deal.

Tampa Bay Rays Managing Partner and Co-Chair Patrick Zalupski, Co-Chair Bill Cosgrove, and Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby plan to speak at a news conference set for 11:30 a.m. at Steinbrenner Field.

Zalupski and his team are expected to field questions regarding plans for a new stadium, how much they plan to invest in a new stadium, and how much they plan to invest into the team itself.

The Rays lease with the City of St. Pete to play at Tropicana Field runs through 2028.

The Rays are scheduled to return to the hurricane-damaged Trop for opening day of the 2026 season, should the brand new roof and extensive repairs be completed by early April. After that, it’s unclear where the new ownership group plans to build a new ballpark.

Possible locations still include the Tropicana Field site in St. Pete, a location in Tampa, or somewhere else altogether. Nothing has been publicly ruled out by the Rays new owners.

“It’s great having football, baseball, and hockey in Tampa and to see baseball leave would just be really disappointing,” said fan Jennifer Adams. “We’ve built a really good following and I think it’s just good for the market.”

Roof repairs continue at Tropicana Field, with a goal of it being ready for the 2026 regular season. (Sky 9)

Other questions Zalupski and his team are expected to be faced with today include how much they plan to invest into the stadium and the team itself. The former ballpark deal negotiated by past-owner Stu Sternberg included getting $600 million from Pinellas County and the City of St. Pete to go towards a $1.2 billion ballpark.

That deal fell apart after Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana Field and a series of delayed votes within county and city government.

“Hopefully the group that purchased them puts some money into the team,” said baseball fan Shawn Molnar. “It’s good for the Tampa Bay area and the economy.”

It is set for 11:30 a.m. You can watch it live on Spectrum Bay News 9 on-air, online or the Spectrum News app.