As we progress through the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays from owner Stu Sternberg to Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski for $1.7 billion, an intriguing subplot has emerged regarding the inclusion of the Tampa Rowdies in the sale. The lead developer for the highly sought-after Ybor City site, where a potential new stadium could be constructed, is Mr. Darryl Shaw, who also owns the women’s soccer league team, the Tampa Bay Sun.
Earlier this year, Shaw announced his intention to construct a 15,000-seat soccer-only stadium for the Sun on the same land that could potentially host a new home for the Rays. A 30,000-seat stadium could serve as a venue for the Rays, Rowdies, and the Sun. With some creative scheduling, this could result in at least 120 guaranteed events per year at the Ybor site, not counting any other events that may be booked.
Zalupski and Shaw would be making a mistake if they didn’t form an alliance to create one of the best multi-use entertainment venues in the country. The stadium could serve as the centerpiece of a waterfront development that includes retail, commercial, and residential spaces, ultimately transforming a new area of Tampa.
We know the baseball part of the story but what about the soccer?
In their first season the Tampa Bay Sun FC brought the first-ever professional women’s sports title to Tampa Bay. The Sun took down in-state rival Fort Lauderdale United FC 1-0 to claim the inaugural USL Super League championship trophy. The Sun had the best home-field advantage in the league at Riverfront Stadium in Downtown Tampa. The Sun finished their inaugural season with 14 wins, 6 losses, and 10 ties.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies play their home games at Al Lang Stadium, which has a seating capacity of approximately 7,500 and is located on the bayfront in St. Petersburg. The team has experienced success both on the field and in terms of attendance. During a recent meeting discussing the future of Al Lang Stadium, city council member Gina Driscoll expressed concern about some of the proposed options which included tearing it down to open up more profitable waterfront development.
“That made my eye twitch a little bit,” Driscoll remarked. “I can’t imagine not having Al Lang Stadium. I can’t imagine not having the Rowdies.” Recently, the city of St. Petersburg extended the team’s lease at Al Lang Stadium and invested $3.1 million in repairs and upgrades following damage from last year’s hurricane.
It is important to note that the Tampa Bay Mutiny was a founding member of Major League Soccer (MLS), but they folded in 2001 due to several factors, including a lack of local ownership, insufficient promotion, and an unfavorable lease at Raymond James Stadium. The same situation occurred with the Miami Fusion, which also ceased operations in 2001. At that time, Major League Soccer was struggling significantly, and it took nearly a decade for the league to begin improving. In contrast, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, part of the now-defunct North American Soccer League (NASL), were not only successful on the field but also enjoyed impressive attendance, averaging 30,000 fans per season and drawing over 50,000 when legendary player Pelé and their arch-rivals, the New York Cosmos, visited. This demonstrates that Tampa has a long-standing history of supporting and loving soccer.
The Suns and the Rowdies in the same site makes too much sense.
But a new Rays, Rowdies and Suns Stadium could open the door for both soccer teams moving up to the big time for Rowdies it wouild be Major League Soccer, joining Orlando and Miami as in-state rivals. For the Sun
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has often mentioned that Tampa could be a potential city for expansion. He has pointed out the area’s growth as a sports hub and the rising popularity of soccer in the region. Garber emphasized that cities like Tampa, Detroit, Phoenix, and Sacramento are strong candidates for future expansion. He specifically noted that Tampa is the largest television market in the U.S. without an MLS team, which has not gone unnoticed.
Miami owner and soccer icon David Beckham was thrilled with the over 50,000 fans who turned out earlier this year at Raymond James Stadium for an exhibition game against potential future rivals, stating that Tampa is a great soccer town. Inter Miami FC faced off against Orlando City, and it wasn’t just the match-up that attracted the massive crowd – fans were eager to see soccer legend Lionel Messi in action.
For the record the average size of an MLS stadium is about 25,000 seats so the Ybor site would not be an issue.
What about the Sun’s future?
The highest-level women’s soccer league in the United States is the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). In late 2022, the NWSL narrowed its expansion search down to three finalist cities: Tampa, Boston, and San Francisco. The league ultimately added San Francisco, and a late push allowed Salt Lake City to join as well, providing representation in the Mountain Time Zone for television purposes. Further expansion is expected in 2026 or 2027, and Tampa remains a strong contender. Many within the league would also like to see the Orlando Pride gain an in-state rival.
If the stadium were to be home to the Rays baseball team, as well as MLS and NWSL teams, we could see over 200 events taking place in Ybor City year-round. Those who believe this isn’t feasible might consider the example of the New York Yankees, who own New York City FC. The team plays most of its MLS home games at Yankee Stadium, with a few matches held at Citi Field.
There’s no reason the Ybor site couldn’t host the majority of these games, with some also played at Raymond James Stadium or the new USF Stadium. While this is far from a done deal, utilizing the Ybor site for baseball, soccer, concerts, and other events at Amalie Arena could transform downtown Tampa to Ybor City into one of the most desirable entertainment spots in the country, generating significant revenue for everyone involved.
Zalupski and Shaw would be making a mistake if they didn’t form an alliance to create one of the best multi-use entertainment venues in the country. The stadium could serve as the centerpiece of a waterfront development that includes retail, commercial, and residential spaces, ultimately transforming a new area of Tampa.
Notre Dame’s relationship with the ACC remains complicated, strained by football independence yet bound by shared sports commitments. Miami’s playoff berth at the expense of the Irish has only deepened tensions, but both sides know they must find common ground.
The College Football Playoff drama reached its peak when Miami jumped Notre Dame for the final berth, despite the Irish holding a higher ranking for much of the season. The Hurricanes’ Week 1 win over Notre Dame gave the committee the justification it needed, and the ACC backed Miami aggressively in the final push. Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua called the outcome “permanent damage” to the relationship, noting the conference’s politicking against its biggest partner.
Notre Dame’s Unique Position
The ACC is home to Notre Dame basketball and Olympic sports, but football remains independent. That independence allows the Irish to keep all their football revenue, a financial advantage that makes joining a league less appealing. Yet the playoff snub highlighted the downside: without a conference home, Notre Dame lacks allies when selection politics come into play. As one CBS Sports analyst put it, “Notre Dame didn’t mind Miami making its case, but felt the ACC was taking a lot of shots at us”.
Limited Options
Where would Notre Dame go if the ACC relationship soured? The Big Ten looms as a possibility, but geography and tradition complicate matters. The SEC offers prestige but little cultural fit. Independence remains the Irish identity, but the playoff system increasingly favors conference champions. As NBC Sports noted, “Notre Dame’s strained relationship with the ACC leaves them with few viable alternatives”.
Voices From Both Sides
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips defended the league’s stance: “The University of Notre Dame is an incredibly valued member of the ACC… but when it comes to football, we have a responsibility to support and advocate for all 17 of our football-playing members”.
Bevacqua countered: “We were mystified by the actions of the conference, to attack their biggest business partner in football and a member conference in 24 sports”. Even MLB.com’s coverage of Notre Dame baseball underscored the school’s deep ties to ACC competition, showing how intertwined the programs remain.
The Path Forward
Despite the bitterness, both sides recognize the need to move forward. Notre Dame cannot afford to alienate the ACC, which houses most of its athletic programs. The ACC, meanwhile, benefits from the prestige Notre Dame brings. As Fox Sports summarized, “We have a responsibility to support our teams, but Notre Dame remains central to the ACC’s identity”.
In the end, the Irish and the ACC will work things out. The relationship may be bruised, but neither side has anywhere better to go.
The Women’s National Basketball Association owners and WNBA players now have until January 9th to get a new collective bargaining agreement done. The two sides could not come up with an agreement in October and decided to try and get a deal done by November 30th. The sides have agreed to another extension. There is plenty of time before the 2026 season starts in the spring but there is a business to run. Portland and Toronto are supposed to be stocked by an expansion draft and there is the WNBA entry draft on April 13th, 2026. If there is a lockout imposed by the owners, players would be barred from team facilities, practices, games, and communications with team staff.
The players don’t want a salary cap while the owners are trying to suppress salaries. Very typical in sports labor negotiations. There may be two factors in the players’ thinking. Two other basketball opportunities. A handful of WNBA players have committed to play in Project B, a women’s basketball startup league that will begin play in Europe, Asia and Latin America in November 2026 and last through April 2027. The league will not overlap with the WNBA season. The Project B women’s basketball league will include six teams with 11 players on each roster, and play a 5-on-5 format. Project B plans to host seven two-week tournaments in locations throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. Project B will offer players an equity stake in the league and promises to pay more than the WNBA owners are willing to pay for players. There is another league available to the players called Unrivaled. The three players on three players league is going into its second year starting in January with eight teams. The WNBA is not the only game in town for players.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, right, greets Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) after an NFL football game Wednesday, Dec 2, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 19-14. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
One day in the not so distant future both Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin will be headed to Canton. For now the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and head coach are headed in another direction — winning the AFC North.
Pittsburgh’s upset of Baltimore Sunday moved the Steelers back atop the division and set up an interesting final month of the season. Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP, will try to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. And Tomlin will try to continue his amazing streak of never having a losing record.
Sitting at 7-6, the Steelers finish with a Monday night home game against Miami, travel to Detroit and Cleveland and then host Baltimore in what could be a winner-take-all scenario.
In Sunday’s win over the Ravens the 42-year-old Rodgers, one of six active QBs to win a Super Bowl, completed 23 of 34 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown for the first time since 2022.
“We knew what was on the line today and that’s why you go do business with a guy like Aaron,” Tomlin, one of seven active Super Bowl winning coaches, said in his postgame press conference. “For thick days like today. He’s a been-there done-that guy. Beyond the experience component of it, he relishes it. You can just tell. That’s the benefit of having a guy like AR.”
Rodgers and the Steelers got off to a quick start this season. They were 4-1 before they lost three of their next four, including Rodgers’ game against the Packers. They were desperate heading into Baltimore, who had gone from 1-5 to 6-6, and came away with the win.
Now they have a legitimate shot at winning the division, keeping Tomlin’s streak alive and sending Rodgers back to the playoffs.
Is it Over?
Speaking of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and coaches, things are not looking bright in Kansas City for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.
Sunday night’s loss to Houston dropped the three-time defending AFC champs to 6-7 on the season. Mahomes, who was 14-for-33 for 160 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions for a 19.8 QB rating, had the worst game of his career.
Over his past five games, Mahomes has been under 50 percent completion percentage twice. Before that he had played 149 games in college and the pros and was never under 50 percent.
And the last time the Chiefs were under .500 after 13 games? That would be 2012 when Andy Reid was in his final season in Philadelphia.
Deja Boo
Just two years ago the Eagles started the season 10-1 only to finish 11-6 and get blown out in the first round of the playoffs by Tampa Bay.
This season the Eagles started the season 8-2 and after Monday’s ugly loss to the Chargers are 8-5. Is history repeating like a bad burrito?
Three of the Eagles final four games are against the worst team in the league, Las Vegas, and two against a really bad Washington team.
Lose any of those games and everyone in the organization should be in trouble.
Never Lose Twice
Detroit’s win over Dallas last week kept alive a pretty impressive streak for the Lions. They have now won 15 straight games after a loss.
That ties for the longest streak of not losing two straight with the Baltimore Ravens (2009-12) and Denver Broncos (1984-88).
No Luck for Colts
Not only is Indianapolis falling apart, the Colts lost QB Daniel Jones for the season with a torn Achilles.
Indy’s loss Sunday in Jacksonville was the 11th straight time they lost to the Jaguars in Florida. The last time the Colts won in Jacksonville was 2014 when Andrew Luck quarterbacked the Colts over Blake Bortles and the Jags.
Shut Out? Shut Up
Minnesota lost to Seattle, 26-0, two weeks ago and then came back and beat Washington, 31-0.
Guess that means Seattle would beat Washington, 57-0.
Seriously, that’s the first time since weeks three and four of 1992 that a team was shut out one week and then recorded a shutout the following week. Denver lost to Philadelphia, 30-0, and then beat Cleveland, 12-0, the next week.
Battle in the South
With a month to go, Tampa Bay and Carolina are tied for first place in the NFC South at 7-6. The crazy part is the two teams have not played each other yet.
They will meet twice over this final month, next week in Charlotte and then the final week of the season in Tampa. The Panthers also play at New Orleans and host Seattle. While the Bucs host Atlanta, Thursday night, and travel across the state to Miami.
Just another 1
Green Bay faced Chicago, who was the No. 1 seed in the NFC, last week and beat them, 28-21.
This week the Packers face the Broncos, who happen to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Who knows what will happen, but Vegas has installed the Pack as a 2 1/2-point road favorite.
It’s Official
When Miami beat the New York Jets, Sunday, it eliminated the Jets from the playoffs. Shocking, right?
It will be the 15th straight year the Jets miss the playoffs, which is the longest streak of any team in the four major sports.
