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.

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,

The Tampa Bay Rays might finally live up to their namesake. A group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski is expected to buy the franchise for a reported $1.7 billion as early as September, and it wants to move the team from St. Petersburg to Tampa, according to The Athletic.

The BriefSources say Stu Sternberg has a deal in principle to sell the team to Patrick Zalupski for $1.7 billion.Hillsborough officials might only have one chance to cut a deal to find financing and land for a stadium.

A group led by developer Patrick Zalupski is reportedly working to keep the team in Tampa rather than moving to St. Petersburg.

The proposed buyers of the Rays are not venture capitalists looking for a flip. These are Florida-rooted businessmen. Do they really care if the team is in Tampa or Orlando?

According to reports, the Tampa Bay Rays could have new owners in a matter of months. The mayor hinted that the team is likely to stay local.

The team has agreed to a deal in principle with Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski for roughly $1.7 billion.

The Rays and White Sox finalized a trade that sends corner infielder Tristan Gray to Tampa Bay for cash considerations on Saturday afternoon. The Rays designated infielder/outfielder Coco Montes for assignment in a corresponding move.