Rays Owner Stu Sternberg Torches Future in Tampa Bay and Rips Fan Support in Bizarre Presser

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg spoke to the media on Tuesday, and of course, he addressed the plan of splitting the team's season in half between Tampa Bay and Montreal.

Sternberg was adamant that his proposal is not about leaving Tampa Bay. Instead, he hopes this gives them leverage to get a new stadium, which they've been trying to do for years.

However, Sternberg did take some shots at the fan base and outlined the reality of their situation.

It's not something fans want to hear, but the Rays don't get much support. Why do you think he wants to split the home schedule in half between Tampa Bay and Montreal? It's because they can't support a team full time, and they've continued to show that over the years, no matter how good or bad they are.

Sternberg did say it's "definitely on the table" for the Spring Training site to move back to Tampa, but that only belied they myriad other issues involved.

Sternberg has no intention of selling the team and he wants to keep baseball in Tampa Bay, but for it to work long term, splitting up the home schedule and playing half the games in Montreal might be the only way (per his side of things).

If the plan doesn't work or can't even get off the ground, you have to think that when their lease at Tropicana Field is up in 2027, they'll find a new home for the Rays, even if that means moving to a new city.