The latest drama involving the Tampa Bay Rays has nothing to do with Tropicana Field attendance or the ongoing stadium debate.
The baseball team's billboard along Interstate 275 next to the Trop in downtown St. Petersburg may have to come down - because it violates Florida's advertising laws.
According to partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, state officials say the sign, built in 2005, is running advertisements for other businesses such as a car dealership, violating a state law that requires signs over a highway to advertise only for the business at that location, which would be the Rays.
This summer, Florida Department of Transportation sent the Rays a notice telling them the sign was in violation. The team was given 30 days to remove the sign or pay $4,800 to have the sign taken down.
The team has applied for special permit for the 114-foot electronic billboard, but state officials have said the paperwork is incomplete.
FDOT also says the sign is too close to the interstate - saying the structure is 275 feet away from the roadway and should be at least 1,500 feet away, based on state law.