The Brief The Tampa Bay Rays announced this week they have entered into exclusive talks to sell the team. Just one day after the Tampa Bay Rays confirmed they were in talks to sell the Major League Baseball franchise, Tampa and St. Pete's mayors are welcoming the prospect of new ownership. Renewed stadium talks? We're going to do everything that we can to keep them in Tampa Bay — and preferably in the city of Tampa." RELATED: Tampa Bay Rays in talks to sell team, officials confirmAcross the bay, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch also welcomed the news of potential new ownership.