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 Tampa Bay Rays will be sold to developer Patrick Zalupski and his group for approximately $1.7 billion, with the sale possibly finalized before the end of t

Commissioner Rob Manfred says, “I have no reason to quibble with or dispute the reports," about the Rays expected $1.7 million sale to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski.