The Athletic also reports: "Zalupski is expected to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area, with a strong preference to be in Tampa rather than St. Petersburg, the source said." Sternberg, who originally took control of the team in 2005,

A Jacksonville group led by billionaire Patrick Zalupski have agreed to buy the Rays for an estimated price of $1.7 billion, according to The Athletic. The deal is expected to be finalized by September after negotiations took place over the past weeks. The Rays' principal owner, Stu Sternberg, bought the franchise in 2004 for $200 million.

After 20 years as principal owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, Stuart Sternberg is set to sell the team to Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski for about $1.7 billion. The deal has been agreed to in principle and could be completed as soon as September, The Athletic reported on Monday afternoon.