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.

Despite Sternberg’s final comment, the future of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise is uncertain. They are coming off their first losing season since 2017, finishing with a record of 80 wins and 82 losses, and will not have home-field advantage this year.