Janelle Irwin Taylor
Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays now officially own soccer’s Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Rays announced Wednesday.
The Rays finalized the sale for an undisclosed amount after the 2018 United Soccer League season concluded.
Rays leadership said the transition from previous owner Bill Edwards will begin immediately. Edwards announced at the beginning of the month he was selling the team to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Changes are in store for the Rowdies roster, front office and fan experience, the new owners said.
“Today marks a new era in Tampa Bay Rowdies history,” new Rowdies Vice-Chairman Matt Silverman said.
“We are excited to embark on this journey with Rowdies fans from across Tampa Bay, and we look forward to building enduring relationships with Season Ticket Holders, Corporate Partners, and all supporters of Rowdies soccer.”
The Rowdies will also begin opening Al Lang Stadium where the team plays to the public every first Saturday of the month during the Saturday Morning Market held in the parking lot. The first public opening will be Nov. 3.
During those events, the team will host family-friendly activities and live soccer games streamed from all over the world on the video board and concourse televisions.
“The expansion of the Saturday Morning Market into Al Lang will be an added benefit to an already energized downtown St. Petersburg,” Rowdies Vice-Chairman Brian Auld said. “It allows fans and citizens access to family-friendly activities during the most beautiful time of the year.”
New ownership plans to announce its roster changes “in the coming weeks.” Ticket sales representatives are in the process of reaching out to existing season ticket holders to offer early renewal benefits for the 2019 Rowdies season.
For those who choose to renew their season passes early and put down a $100 deposit for those tickets, the Rowdies will give fans $25 in Rowdies Dollars that can be used at the team store located in the Sundial shopping and entertainment center in downtown St. Pete.
Those dollars can be redeemed during the month of December.
