Sportico reported the Tampa Bay Rays are in advanced talks to be sold to a Jacksonville group headed by Patrick Zalupski.

On Wednesday, news broke that the Tampa Bay Rays are in advanced discussions with Florida businessman Patrick Zalupski about buying the team for $1.7 billion. S

"The Tampa Bay Rays announced that the team has recently commenced exclusive discussions with a group led by Patrick Zalupski, Bill Cosgrove, Ken Babby and prominent Tampa Bay investors concerning a possible sale of the team," the Rays said in a statement. "Neither the Rays nor the group will have further comment during the discussions."