Rays Buying Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rays struck a deal to buy the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer club they say was made only to get into the soccer business and has no connection to the effort to find new home for their baseball team.  The deal includes at least short-term control of downtown waterfront Al Lang Stadium.  Read more here.

It’s Goodbye Baseball for Al Lang Stadium, Rowdies Take Control

St. Petersburg’s historic waterfront baseball stadium is now a soccer pitch managed by the Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League).  The city council approved a new management deal for Al Lang Stadium through 2018.  Read more and watch news report here.

Rowdies, Al Lang Stadium Deal Back On

A deal brokered by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman to turn over operations of Al Lang Stadium to local businessman Bill Edwards and his Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer franchise fell through Sept. 17 when the St. Petersburg Baseball Commission balked, but the deal appears back on, after attorneys for the Rowdies and the commission informed the city Monday that they have settled a related lawsuit.  Read more here.

Rowdies Closing in On Control of Al Lang Stadium

In a deal brokered by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, local businessman Bill Edwards appears set to take over control of Al Lang Stadium, the waterfront baseball stadium where his Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer franchise play, possibly ending its almost four-decade history as a baseball venue.  Read more here.

Soccer Team Sues Baseball Commission Over Al Lang Conditions

After months of criticizing the nonprofit St. Petersburg (FL) Baseball Commission for substandard maintenance of the downtown soccer field at Al Lang Stadium, Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League) owner Bill Edwards filed a lawsuit this week that claims the commission has violated its contract and hurt business for the sports franchise.  Read more here.

Rowdies Pushing St. Pete Toward New Soccer Tradition

Over the next few weeks, the turf at Al Lang Stadium will be ripped up and replaced — a $250,000 investment by St. Petersburg (FL) to placate Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League) owner Bill Edwards.  That’s a short-term fix, as Edwards wants the aging facility replaced with a soccer-only venue.  Ultimately, as the city considers a developing downtown waterfront master

Mayor Seeks $250K Field Improvement for Al Lang Stadium

St. Petersburg (FL) Mayor Rick Kriseman is proposing a $250,000 field upgrade at Al Lang Stadium following complaints from the Tampa Bay Rowdies (North American Soccer League) owner Bill Edwards that the unlevel field is dangerous for players.  The baseball facility no longer hosts a professional baseball team, but there is a desire to keep the field available for baseball events.  Read more here.