ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld will step down from their roles as part of the pending sale of the team to new owners.

The Rays said Wednesday that those moves are connected with the franchise’s sale that they said could close within the next two weeks, pending final approvals. The team said it would share information about the sale and new ownership group after the transaction is completed.

Owner Stu Sternberg, who has controlled the club since 2005, has been negotiating to sell the Rays to a group headed by Patrick Zalupski . Silverman and Auld have led the Rays’ operations both internally and externally in their presidential roles.

Silverman is wrapping up his 22nd season with the Rays and 17th as team president. He was first pro

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