Thursday Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg ended his chances of ever getting a new home in the area he sent ripples all around the sports community both locally and on a national scale.

Sternberg announced that the franchise will not proceed with a proposed $1.3 billion to create a new stadium in the historic Gas Plant district in St. Petersburg. The Rays owner shocked partners his in the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, who had put together $700 million in a deal signed by all parties in July 2024.

The deal was missing documents the Rays had until March 31st to sign before the $700 million dollars offer would have been withdrawn. So, the Rays change of heart kills the deal. In the meantime, the Rays will play the 2025 season in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field, and they hope to get Tropicana Field in place for the 2026 season.

As you might expect government officials in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Rays fans, Major League baseball were very upset. So are owners in the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS and other sports who now will have a tougher time getting public finding. The trust factors that are so very important in the doing deals for new sports stadiums and arenas will be much more difficult.

Sternberg’s actions will no doubt make life more difficult for Kansas City Royals who after the Rays deal was inked in July just two weeks later in August unveiled two options for a new $1 billion Royals baseball stadium as part of an overall $2 billion development. As for the Athletics deal in Las Vegas in remains in limbo while Arizona, Milwaukee, and the Los Angeles Angels are at least exploring the possibilities for new ballparks.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is in Japan for the opening of the season with the Dodgers and the Cubs. But his office was quick to respond. “Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community,” MLB said in a statement. “Commissioner (Rob) Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today’s announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club’s future in the Tampa Bay region.”

While Manfred represents the Rays, he also speaks for all of all the MLB owners. He has said to a number of political and business leaders in both Tampa and St. Petersburg that he wanted the Rays deal to get done. MLB wants the team in the Tampa Bay area, not Orlando, Nashville, or Montreal. I expect the commissioner to return to the area and make sure that the Rays stay and that may mean a new owner.

How committed is Manfred to keeping the team in the Bay Area? The Athletic reported that the commissioner and other MLB owners are trying to convince Sternberg to sell and threatening to take away some of the Rays’ revenue-sharing income to force a sell the team to local owners.

There are at least four local ownership groups who want to by the Rays and keep them in Tampa. Just about a week ago the first person to go public was Tampa businessman Joe Molloy. A Tampa native and former managing partner of the New York Yankees, told the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday that he is leading one of the groups. The Athletic reported one of the investors is Eddie DeBartolo Jr., a businessman with longtime Tampa ties and former owner of NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

A couple of other potential ownership groups are Tampa businessman Dan Doyle Jr. — who withdrew from a 2023 bid to purchase the Rays — is part of another interested group, per The Athletic. The third group is led by Tampa attorney Carter McCain who said he is seeking local minority ownership, per the Times.

According to a report in the Los Angels Times Sternberg has a net worth of $800 million dollars. It is clear that he simply does not have the money to make the Rays a successful off the field business. Private equity billionaire David Rubenstein recently bought the Baltimore Orioles for $1.75 billion putting a sale price for the Rays at between $1.5 and $1.7 billion dollars.

While Sternberg is getting hammered for walking away from the St. Pete deal he does warrant some credit for putting a good product on the field. No team in baseball has done more with less money than the Rays. Consider this, only the Dodgers and the Yankees have won more games over the past 15 years than the Rays.

The league will continue to push Sternberg to sell the team, and he will get close to the $2 billion dollar mark. While it could take time in the end the team will get local ownership and a ballpark in Tampa.

By Fred York and Sean Miller

Let’em Run: Gulfstream Park Races 8-12 and The Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs (3/15/25)

In this edition of Let’em Run, we’re diving into the action-packed Saturday card at Gulfstream Park and the unique Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. With top trainers like Victor Barboza, Kent Sweezy, Dale Romans, and Brad Cox in the mix, along with elite jockeys like Luis Saez, Paco Lopez, and Flavian Prat, this lineup promises high-stakes thrills and big payouts. From the debut of #4 Here Comes Francis in Race 8 to the class drop of #5 Battle On in Race 12, we’ve got you covered with insights and value plays.

Whether you’re hunting for that longshot or backing the favorites like #6 Getaway Car in the Virginia Derby, this preview will help you make informed bets and stay ahead of the competition. Don’t forget to check out our “One Horse Wonders” segment on the podcast and tune in at 12:30 on race day for updates after the scratches. For the full breakdown, visit SportsTalkNYFan.com.

Race 8 – 4:20 EST – Dirt 6F MSW 94K

Field of 8 with 6 first-time starters

• #4 Here Comes Francis (8-1): Trained by Victor Barboza, who’s been on fire at Gulfstream Park. This colt’s workouts hint at early speed, and Luis Saez will ensure a clean break.
• #1 Looking for Stars (20-1): Another Barboza entry with experience. Rough trip last out, but educational. Paco Lopez aboard, going Turf to Dirt and Route to Sprint, a 30% win angle for Barboza.
• #8 Vibe (7-5): Purchased for $3 million, sired by Into Mischief. Repole Stable and West Point Thoroughbred saw something. Watch the tote board.

Bet: 1,4,8 Exacta Box and $20 Win on #4

Race 9 – 4:50 EST – Dirt 7F Clm 8000N2L

• #7 Rocky Seas (5-2): First off the claim for Kent Sweezy, who’s hot. Ran second four times straight, now gets Vasquez, who clicks at 43% with Sweezy.
• #4 Queen of Soul (4-1): Limited starts, but flashed speed on dirt to break her maiden. Paco Lopez ensures an aggressive ride.

Race 10 – 5:20 EST – Turf 1 Mile OC 62K/N2X

• #7 Pharoah’s Wine (6-1): Controlling speed, cutting back to her best distance (2 wins, 2 seconds in 5 tries). Dale Romans’ filly is working lights out and drops in class.
• #1 Movin’ On Up (9-2): Zayas and Saffie Joseph combo. Needed a break, now ready for return after big races at Saratoga and Churchill Downs.

Bet: $20 Win/Place on #7 if 5-1 or more

Race 11 – 5:50 EST – Dirt 6F OC 25K/N1X

• #2 Pleasant Embrace (3-1): Looking for her fourth straight win. Impressive stats (10-5-2-2). Rosario stays on for Kelly Breen. Top Brisnet rating and E8 pace style.
• #7 Palmetto Fury (7-2): Also aiming for four straight. Saffie Joseph and Gaffalione team up. Working well off a layoff.

Edge to #2 due to post position. If #1 scratches, #2 on the rail becomes even stronger.

Race 12 – 6:20 EST – Turf 1 1/16 Mile Maiden 25K

Lowest claiming level at GP, most wide-open race on the card

• #8 Fountain Run (7-2): First time on turf last out, showed promise. Trainer switch from Todd Pletcher to Anthony Sciametta Jr. Saez staying aboard is a big signal.
• #11 Chill the J (4-1): Two solid starts, both on turf. Recently gelded, Gaffalione rides, but outside post is a minor concern.
• #5 Battle On (12-1): Biggest class drop in racing (MSW to MClm). Riley Mott takes over. Lasix and gelding could spark improvement.

The Virginia Derby Stakes

One-turn, 1 1/8 Mile race with 50 Derby points on the line.

• #6 Getaway Car (9-5): Brad Cox’s other entry after scratching John Hancock. Likely controlling speed.
• #7 Rapture (5-1): Cox’s alternate with Flavian Prat aboard. Not a need-the-lead type, fits the race flow, and bred for big runs.

Bet: #7 to upset the favorite.

Be sure to catch our Let’em Run podcast’s “One Horse Wonders” segment, breaking down one key horse in each race. Tune in Saturday at 12:30 for updated picks after scratches.

For the full breakdown, visit SportsTalkNYFan.com.

What do FIFA’s World Cup jerseys, European football kits and high-performance basketball uniforms all have in common? They are all manufactured in Bangladesh. 

This small but mighty nation has quietly become a global powerhouse in high-performance sportswear for the world’s top teams. For over a decade, Bangladesh has played a central role in outfitting the  World Cup – boosting sports clothing exports from $70 million in 2014 to nearly $200 million in 2022.

Bangladeshi-made garments have clothed everyone from Real Madrid’s basketball team to the Premier League’s Wolves. Factories such as Epyllion Group and SiATEX ship massive volumes of jerseys, jackets, and fanwear for global sportswear brands, supplying the likes of Puma and Hummel. 

But Bangladesh isn’t just making on mass – it’s making better. Behind the scenes, its leading manufacturers are carefully reviewing and refining their operations to future-proof their business while producing cleaner and greener clothing for the good of the planet.

With the highest number of LEED-certified factories anywhere in the world, combining innovative eco-friendly materials with ethical, low-carbon production, the country is proving once and for all that elite performance gear does not have to cost the Earth.

A decade ago, sustainability was hardly the first thing associated with Bangladesh’s clothing. The deadly 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse cast a harsh spotlight on workplace safety and labor rights within the country, tarring its reputation almost irrevocably. But, from the ashes of this great tragedy, the country’s manufacturing sector was completely reborn. The Rana Plaza collapse inspired sweeping reforms, health and safety mandates, and a dramatic shift towards ethical, environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Now, nine of the world’s top ten most sustainable garment factories are in Bangladesh, rising to 61 of the top 100.

Yet, despite these advancements, many within the textiles sector are discouraged by the belief that outdated perceptions continue to overshadow their progress. As the world’s second-largest textiles producer after China, Bangladesh has invested heavily in green technology, ethical labor practices, and eco-friendly materials – but the ghosts of Rana Plaza continue to haunt the country’s image.

“The Bangladeshi industry has had so much development, but the perception is totally wrong in the Western world”, notes Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and Chief Executive of the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange.

Bangladeshi textiles manufacturers are not just pushing for recognition – they are demanding a shift in the way sustainability is approached across the global industry.

A recent report from the Apparel Impact Institute estimates that decarbonizing fashion supply chains will require nearly $1 trillion in upfront investments. Brands will reap the rewards later down the line as they reduce their climate risk exposure, strengthen their regulatory compliance and enhance their appeal to consumers and investors. But most of their initial costs are being offloaded onto manufacturers, those whose margins are already squeezed and who will not receive the same returns. Without shared responsibility from buyers, suppliers are left struggling to maintain sustainable operations while meeting the relentless demand for lower production costs.

Despite these financial and structural hurdles, Bangladesh is already leading the transformation of apparel production.

And they’re starting to make a real difference. Global brands are finally catching up, actively seeking to deepen their Bangladeshi partnerships to meet rising consumer demand for ethically and environmentally conscious clothing. Sportswear giants like Puma already depend on Bangladeshi factories to meet their sustainability goals, while Patagonia and Lululemon have strengthened ties with local manufacturers committed to green production.

Still, there remains a wealth of untapped opportunities for further collaboration. With the help of their Bangladeshi partners, Puma has pioneered cutting-edge technologies like its novel Dry Cell, specifically engineered to keep athletes cool, dry, and comfortable. By leveraging Bangladesh’s capability of converting recycled plastic waste into sustainable yarn, these partnerships are on track to redefine the future of breathable, moisture-wicking sportswear, driving smarter sourcing decisions and deeper sustainability.

As global brands inch cautiously towards their green goals, Bangladesh is already blazing ahead. The world may not have fully caught up yet, but the future is clear: the next era of sports apparel is taking shape here, one eco-friendly stitch at a time.

About the author: Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning television producer, director, writer and broadcaster. He is the Washington Correspondent for Zenger International News service and a regular contributor to Forbes, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated, among many others. He is particularly well known for his coverage of sports, having previously served as the coordinating producer and lead director of the Big Ten Game of the Week and a game producer/director for the SEC, Big12, Big East and other college sports packages. He has also produced and directed a number of telecasts of Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL, MLS, Pro Bowlers Tour, ATP as well as WTA, tennis, boxing, auto racing, and polo.