Former NBA and NCAA champion Shane Battier was formally announced Tuesday as a minority owner of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball.
The new ownership group, led by Florida-based business executive Patrick Zalupski, closed on the purchase of the Rays on Sept. 30. Zapulski and the full list of limited partners were announced at a press conference Tuesday in Tampa.
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“This moment is not just about ownership,’’ said Zalupski, who becomes the MLB Control Person and Co-Chair of the Rays. “It’s about stewardship. We recognize the deep responsibility we now carry: to deliver a winning team on the field as Rays fans are accustomed to and deserve, and an unforgettable experience for our fans. That’s a commitment we make with humility, with pride, and with great anticipation.’’
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Battier, 47, was an NCAA All-American and national champion at Duke before moving onto a 14-year career in the NBA. He retired as a player after spending the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat.
Besides the Heat (2011-14), Battier also played for the Memphis Grizzlies (2001-06, 2011) and Houston Rockets (2006-11). The sixth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, Battier established himself as one of the game’s premier defenders during his playing career.
Battier was twice named to the NBA all-defensive second team (2008 and 2009) and won championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013.
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After briefly dabbling in broadcasting, Battier went on to enjoy a successful career in business. His LinkedIn page lists his occupation as a “strategic advisor and consultant to global brands, exec teams and founders on leadership, culture and strategy.”
Battier was a vice president of analytics and basketball development with the Heat from 2017-21, but much of his business experience lies outside the sports world. In Dec. 2024, Battier was a featured speaker at the TEDx event held at Miami Dade College.
Now, Battier has a small share of one of Florida’s two MLB franchises. The group has set an ambitious goal of having a new ballpark in Tampa Bay ready for Opening Day of the 2029 season. They also must prepare to play Opening Day of the 2026 season in St. Petersburg at a refurbished Tropicana Field, which was damaged by Hurricane Milton in 2024.Â
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