When the Rays and development partner Hines were selected to redevelop the Gas Plant District last year, elected officials and baseball fans across Tampa Bay had hoped it would end years of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the site and the team’s future in the region.

With the Rays unable to play at Tropicana Field amid the serious damage it sustained from Hurricane Milton, the team's future in Tampa-St. Pete is in serious doubt. The move to walk away from the public-private stadium agreement has left the franchise with a few options.

After nearly two decades toiling for a new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays finally struck a deal that ensured their long-term future in St. Petersburg. Thursday, they walked away, leaving $730 million in public funding on the table and the future of the franchise very much in doubt.