TAMPA, Fla. (WCJB) - Leaders of Major League Baseball are waving through one UF trustee’s purchase of Tampa’s MLB team.

Now-managing partner and co-chair Patrick Zalupski sits on the University of Florida’s board of trustees, which governs the university. His ownership group’s bid was confirmed Tuesday.

“We will work hard to earn the respect and confidence of our fans and new MLB partners,” Zalupski wrote, “and we are excited about the upcoming challenge to deliver a world-class experience on and off the field.”

Bill Cosgrove, the CEO of an Ohio-based mortgage company, and Ken Babby, founder of a company which owns the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, will also own the team. Cosgrove will serve as co-chair with Zalupski and Babby will be the team’s CEO.

The three are expected to restart the

See Full Page