Selig: Rays need new stadium

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, in town Wednesday night for the Governor's Baseball Dinner, strongly advocated a new stadium for the Rays.

"I know it's the same message I've delivered a lot of other places, but it's so true here," Selig said before the dinner. "It almost boggles my mind that there's a debate. They need a new stadium."

Selig said he reviewed "to some degree" the recently released report of the ABC Coalition, a group of businessmen that spent more than a year studying the Rays' stadium situation.

The Coalition found that the Rays need a new stadium, that it's not viable to renovate Tropicana Field and that a more central location makes the most sense.

Selig wouldn't address any of the particulars, saying each team understands its own market best. But he said that for the Rays to compete economically, they need a new ballpark much sooner than when their Tropicana Field lease expires after 2026.

"I'm not going to put a (timeframe) on it, but forget the lease running out," he said. "This has to happen much quicker than that. Much quicker. That isn't even debatable."

That Selig came out strong in support of a new stadium was no surprise. He has championed new stadiums in several other markets that had aging or inadequate ballparks, and several have been built.

The chief argument for a new Rays stadium is that it would boost attendance and increase revenues, helping the club compete better with the big spenders in the American League East.

"Knowing the economics of this sport better than any human being on the face of the earth - and I will say that to you - they need a new ballpark," Selig said. "They've been remarkably competitive. They've produced a lot of wonderful young talent, and they'll continue to do that."

On other baseball matters that could relate to the Rays, Selig said there's no imminent movement toward a balanced schedule and that realignment considerations are taking place "only in my mind."

The third Governor's Baseball Dinner hosted by Gov. Charlie Crist signaled the start of spring training. Among the other honored guests were Hall of Famers Henry Aaron, Al Kaline, Robin Roberts and 2010 inductee Andre Dawson.

Among those representing the Rays were owner Stu Sternberg and Manager Joe Maddon.