Home of Tampa Bay Rays eyes name change, but team says it would threaten stadium deal

They began as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998, then shortened their name in 2007 to simply Tampa Bay Rays. Now, as plans for a new ballpark take shape, some officials in the team's home city are talking about changing the name again to reflect the team’s actual location: the St. Petersburg Rays. The St. Petersburg City Council debated the possibility Thursday, ultimately voting to seek options to elevate the city’s prominence with the MLB team that could include a name change. The Rays are opposed to any name change. A team co-president told councilmembers that any name change requirement would mean there will not be a new ballpark or development project.