Tampa Bay Rays Stuart Sternberg has set a stadium search deadline.
Sternberg said Saturday during Rays Fanfest that the organization will start looking for a replacement for Tropicana Field by 2022 - with or without the permission of St. Petersburg officials.
The contract tying the Rays to the Trop expires in 2027.
Sternberg says it will take at least five years to plan and build a new stadium. And he wants his organization ready when the Trop deal is done.
When asked Saturday by partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times if the team is interested in a plan to build a new stadium where the Trop currently sits, Sternberg said "doubtful."
Sternberg also said Rays executives will not attend any more city council meetings.
In December, city officials blocked the team's request to look for a new park in Hillsborough County.