After nearly two decades toiling for a new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays finally struck a deal that ensured their long-term future in St. Petersburg. Thursday, they walked away, leaving $730 million in public funding on the table and the future of the franchise very much in doubt.

Fan reaction was immediate and sad to the news that the Rays will not meet the March 31 deadline to move forward with a stadium. There were lots of calls to “sell the team,” but also hurt reactions. “Embarrassing,