Rays to Finally Talk to City?

UPDATE 4:50PM - Stu Sternberg will make "an important announcement regarding the future of the Rays' franchise" at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, shortly after meeting with the Mayor of St. Petersburg. Updates tomorrow.

9:50AM - After saying they wouldn't talk stadium until the ABC Coalition finished its work, then saying they wouldn't talk stadium while they were concentrating on the start of the season, then saying they wouldn't talk stadium while they were concentrating on maintaining baseball's best record...it appears the Rays are finally ready to talk stadium.

As the Times' Stephen Nohlgren reports, team owner Stu Sternberg will meet with St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster this week.

Rick Mussett, senior administrator for city development, said (Rays' Sr. VP Michael) Kalt called him early last week, asking for time on Foster's calendar. Mussett offered Monday or Tuesday.

"Kalt said it would be mostly a social visit,'' Mussett said. "We don't know what they are going to say. It could be almost anything, though the 'mostly' is the key qualifier.''

Previously:
4/28/10 - When will Rays Talk Stadium?
4/14/10 - Rays Not Prepared to Answer Tough Questions
4/5/10 - New Season Brings Old Refrains From and for Rays
3/16/10 - St. Pete Mayor Waiting on Rays

Read the final ABC Coalition report here.