Bill Griffin's perspective:
Sternberg paid about $65 million to buy out the six partners. He now owns 49 percent of the Devil Rays, though Vince Naimoli continues to serve as managing general partner.
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There have been rumors that Naimoli will step aside after the 2006 season and Sternberg will take over.
This is where the hope part comes in. Sternberg would increase the payroll to a point where the Rays could at least be competitive. Behind the scenes, Sternberg was believed to have played a big role in the recent contract extension of Carl Crawford, one of the most important moves in team history.
On paper this guy's a heavyweight," said Griffin of Sternberg. "I don't know if he'd put his toe in the water if he weren't prepared to go all the way in.