ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays have issued the following statement:

“We have received several inquiries regarding the most recent lawsuit filed by Jim MacDougald, Stephen Waters, Gary Markel and Robert Kleinert—limited partners whose investments in the team pre-date principal owner Stuart Sternberg’s involvement. While we generally do not comment on active litigation matters, we feel compelled to publicly respond to the meritless and relentless campaign by these limited partners. They have deployed multiple baseless lawsuits premised on allegations they know are untrue in order to pressure the team and Stuart Sternberg to purchase their interests – which is a right they do not have.

These limited partners have initiated three separate lawsuits all based on the same claims and causes of actions. The Court in the first case determined that all but one of the claims should be decided by binding arbitration. However, rather than initiate an arbitration proceeding as required by the Court, the limited partners filed yet another lawsuit in a desperate attempt to avoid arbitration. The plaintiffs prefer to publicly air their meritless allegations rather than seriously pursue their claims.

Ultimately, what compels us to respond is the fact that the latest complaint contains numerous allegations that the plaintiffs know are false. These intentionally false claims are designed to harm the Rays organization at a time when we are actively engaged in efforts to build a new ballpark in Tampa Bay. The allegation that a simple and commonplace corporate reorganization stripped the limited partners of the value of their investments and their rights and protections is patently false, and the limited partners know that. The reorganization was approved by Major League Baseball and the team’s lenders, among others. It had no impact on any aspect of the limited partners’ ownership interests or partnership rights. 

It is unfortunate that these plaintiffs have resorted to an improper litigation campaign that needlessly wastes the resources of the local court system. This is a clear abuse of the judicial process. We intend to take all appropriate steps and seek all remedies and sanctions available to hold these limited partners accountable for their actions, including their attempted interference in the business operations of the team.”