Rob Manfred

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced strong support for the Tampa Bay Rays' proposed new ballpark on the Hillsborough College campus in Tampa. The leaders emphasized that baseball belongs in the Tampa Bay region during a Tuesday press conference. This follows a recent memorandum of understanding between the Rays and the college to redevelop the site.

January 11, 2026 Reported by AI

In the same WFAN interview where MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred outlined realignment and broader schedule tweaks, he detailed discussions on an in-season tournament like the NBA Cup. The idea could split the season or cut regular-season games but grapples with baseball's logistical, traditional, and statistical challenges.