MLB's Tampa Bay Rays might move to Montreal — and stay in Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Ray's mascot, Raymond.
(Image credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays have received permission from Major League Baseball to explore the possibility of being split in two — playing the first portion of their games in the Tampa, Florida, area and the remainder of their season in Montreal, Canada, ESPN reports.

The Rays, who at 43-31 currently draw an average of just 14,546 fans to funereal Tropicana Field, have long failed to secure new stadium funding, leading to talk of a move from Florida. Under the deal, a new ballpark would still be necessary, but the early-season schedule would preclude a costly dome, and the team would gain much-needed revenue from new sponsors in Montreal.

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Jacob Lambert

Jacob Lambert is the art director of TheWeek.com. He was previously an editor at MAD magazine, and has written and illustrated for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, and The Millions.