The hottest topic in Tampa Bay keeps getting fuel thrown into the fire by all sides of the debate.

The Rays' lease with the City of St. Petersburg isn't up until 2027, but just about everyone - including MLB Commissioner Bud Selig - are growing weary of the low attendance at Tropicana Field, despite the Rays being a perennial playoff contender.

At the center of the debate is the Trop itself; outdated and in a less-than-desirable location. 

Last week, St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster joined the Ron and Ian Show the day after Rays' owner Stu Sternberg and members of upper management accepted an invitation by the Hillsborough Count Commission to address the franchise's future in Tampa Bay. 

Foster simply believes the city and its residents are being ignored in the debate and that Pinellas County is Tampa Bay just as much as Hillsborough County is.

Later that same morning, Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan addressed the situation from the perspective of his pundits to WDAE as well.

Tuesday, Sternberg met with the Pinellas County Commission, and made some waves after making the comment, "I want to be here. I want our franchise to be here."

St. Petersburg 7th District Councilman Wengay Newton isn't so sure he believes Sternberg.

Newton told Ron Diaz and Ian Beckles that he doesn't see the situation with the Rays getting any better and that the organization should, "pay out the lease," if the Rays want to leave Tropicana Field behind.

With the MLB season about to be underway as Spring Training begins next month, this fire has no signs of burning out. 

The full audio of Newton's comments can be found below: