Tampa Bay Rays purchase USL Rowdies

[October 03, 2018]  The Tampa Bay Rays are getting in the soccer business.

The owners of the Major League Baseball team purchased the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Tuesday, outgoing Rowdies owner Bill Edwards announced. The Rowdies are currently a member of the second-tier United Soccer League but ultimately hope to move up to Major League Soccer.

The sale includes the Rowdies' home, Al Lang Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

"I am incredibly grateful to Bill for the tremendous investment he has made in the Rowdies and Al Lang Stadium, and the passion he brought to the Tampa Bay sports community and to the soccer community globally," Rowdies vice president and chief operating officer Lee Cohen said, according to MLSsoccer.com. "I have spent some time with (Rays president Matthew Silverman) and I look forward to continuing to build on the successes we have had over the last five years and ensuring a seamless transition for our amazing supporters and fans."

Edwards said in a statement, "The sale is bittersweet. When I purchased the Rowdies, they were on the brink of bankruptcy; today they are champions fighting for their rightful spot in the USL Playoffs. I saw the potential of the team, and what it could mean for downtown St. Petersburg. I invested my blood, sweat, tears and money, and built an amazing staff that I could not be more proud of."

The city of St. Petersburg previously approved a plan by the Rowdies to spend up to $80 million to boost capacity at Al Lang Stadium from 7,500 to 18,000 to help their chances of earning the right to move to MLS.

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in action against Albert Ramos Vinolas of Spain. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Rays president Matt Silverman told the Tampa Bay Times on Monday that the purchase of the Rowdies won't affect the baseball team's plans to build a new domed stadium in Tampa, Fla.

"We are committed to continuing the upward trajectory that the Rowdies have been experiencing under Bill's visionary leadership," Silverman told the newspaper. "The Tampa Bay Rowdies are a legendary soccer team, and we look forward to extending their legacy and prominence. We are eager to get to know Ralph's Mob and all the Rowdies fans, to growing soccer in St. Petersburg and throughout Tampa Bay, and of course, bringing home a championship, which could be imminent."

With three games remaining in the USL season, the Rowdies are 11-13-7 for 40 points, leaving them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. They are four points out of eighth place, the last playoff position.

--Field Level Media

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