<P> When Major League Baseball announced that it would add two expansion teams for the 1993 season, it was widely assumed that one of the teams would be placed in the Dome . However, in addition to the application from St. Petersburg, a competing group applied to field a team in Tampa, prompting much conflict over the bid . The two National League teams were awarded to Denver (Colorado Rockies) and Miami (Florida Marlins) instead . </P> <P> In 1992, San Francisco Giants owner Bob Lurie agreed in principle to sell his team to a Tampa Bay - based group of investors led by Vince Naimoli, who would then move the team to St. Petersburg . However, at the 11th hour, MLB owners nixed the move under pressure from San Francisco officials and the Giants were sold to a group that kept them in San Francisco . </P> <P> Finally, on March 9, 1995, new expansion franchises were awarded to Naimoli's Tampa Bay group and a group from Phoenix (the Arizona Diamondbacks). The new franchises were scheduled to begin play in 1998 . </P> <P> The Tampa Bay area finally had a team, but the stadium in St. Petersburg was already in need of an upgrade . In 1993, the stadium was renamed the Thunderdome and became the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and the Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football League team . After the birth of the Rays, the naming rights were sold to Tropicana Products and $70 million was spent on renovations . </P>

When did the devil rays become a team
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