Rays' Montreal Plan Sounds Dead on Arrival According to St. Petersburg Mayor

The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly been exploring the idea of splitting their home games between Tampa and Montreal -- yes, read that again -- and Major League Baseball is understood to have granted them permission to do so.

Nothing is set in stone as of now, however, and it would take some time to make this admittedly bizarre shift happen. And it doesn't appear this is ever going to get off the ground if St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has any say on the matter.

#Rays plan for Montreal already appears near death. St Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman says he told team he would not grant permission for talks with Montreal. Rays have use agreement with St Pete until 2027.
— John Romano (@romano_tbtimes) June 20, 2019

Yup, it's dead. The Rays still have a lease to stay at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg until 2027, and the mayor made it pretty clear he's not approving this two-city idea.

Rays to explore splitting time between Tampa Bay Area & Montréal. Principal owner Stu Sternberg says it’s a concept “worth exploring.” Here’s St. Petersburg Mayor @Kriseman’s response below. https://t.co/uNdnBs1Vr3
— FOX 13’s Merissa Lynn (@MerissaFOX13) June 20, 2019

It was fun to think about, even if it was just a few hours' worth of entertainment. If Kriseman isn't even bringing it to the city council to discuss the matter and vote on it.

I'll give the Rays credit-- they are trying their best to get the new stadium they so seriously need and find another way to bring in fans to support what is a competitive team. I don't know if splitting time with Montreal would make that much of a difference, of course, but at least it's creative.