Pinellas County commissioners voted 6-1 on Tuesday to again delay issuing bonds to fund the $312.5 million it already agreed to spend on a new $1.3 billion stadium in St. Petersburg. Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg has said the team could relocate if the deal doesn't go through as is.

Nowicki beat incumbent Charlie Justice, a stadium supporter and the lone commissioner who voted against delaying the bond vote in October. He told the Times he is a “solid no vote” and he thinks the Rays want to blame the deal falling apart on the commission’s delay.

The Commission agreed to hold a new discussion at the board’s next meeting on Dec. 17. The board determined that despite pleas from the Rays, waiting until then would not pose any problems or create additional delays because the appellate period for bond validation will not be over until January 14 anyway.

Pinellas County commissioners will take up the debate Tuesday over $312.5 million in funding to help pay for a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Two hours before a crucial vote, the Tampa Bay Rays sent a stern letter to Pinellas County commissioners informing they can no longer move forward with a new stadium deal under the current terms. However,

Damages from Hurricane Milton delayed crucial voting on the Rays' 2028 stadium funding, jeopardizing the deal. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

The Tampa Bay Rays plan to move out of its home county temporarily has reportedly angered commission members set to vote on bonds for a new ballpark.