The Big Lead

Yankees help division rival solve stadium problem for 2025

By Joe Lago

Mar 25, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; a general view of the stadium before a game between the New York Mets and New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; a general view of the stadium before a game between the New York Mets and New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
facebooktwitter

The Tampa Bay Rays have found a home for the 2025 Major League Baseball season.

While Tropicana Field is repaired from the $57.7 million damage by Hurricane Milton, the Rays announced that they will play at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the 11,000-seat spring training home of the New York Yankees and the stadium for the Yankees' Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons.

RELATED: Tampa Bay Rays' check-in on Juan Soto has produced the funniest memes

“It is singularly the best opportunity for our fans to experience 81 games of major league Rays baseball,” Rays owner Stuart Sternberg told the Associated Press. “As difficult as it is to get any of these stadiums up to major league standards, it was the least difficult. You’re going to see Major League Baseball in a small environment.”

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in the Rays release that "rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community."

The Yankees will be compensated for allowing their American League East rival to use their Florida facilities. New York will receive about $15 million in revenue, which won't come from the Rays but other sources, according to the AP.

The Rays' search for a temporary home had them considering locations outside the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Steinbrenner Field achieved "Major League Baseball's goals" of keeping the team locally, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said.

“This outcome meets Major League Baseball’s goals that Rays fans will see their team play next season in their home market and that their players can remain home without disruption to their families," Manfred said in a news release.

MORE TOP STORIES From the Big Lead

NFL: Daniel Jones’ messy Giants contract, explained

NBA: What did Stephen Curry yell during the Klay game?!

CBB: Post-Cal, Kentucky looking healthier than Arkansas

NFL: Bills and Chiefs preparing for another classic