TAMPA — Another group has come forward with interest in buying the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Orlando Dreamers says it has raised $1.5 billion to move the team out of the Bay area, or to purchase another Major League Baseball team.

According to the latest Forbes valuation of MLB teams, the Rays are worth $1.25 billion.

The Dreamers said the money raised has come in the form of letters of intent and verbal commitments from qualified investors.

The group has also discussed plans to build a $1.7 billion stadium though a public-private partnership with Orange County.

Several other groups have come forward with interest in buying the team, but none have made an offer or said how much money, if any, has been raised.

"We were approached very recently by a very successful businessperson with ties to Central Florida who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about baseball, desiring to invest in our enterprise," said Jim Schnorf, who co-founded the Orlando Dreamers along with late Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams. "Based on the quality of this individual, we mutually confirmed our first external investment which will allow us to expedite certain key advancements in our initiative, demonstrating to MLB that Orlando is much further along than any other market pursuing a franchise. Our plan has been to be fully prepared for whatever path brings an opportunity for Major League Baseball in Orange County."

Schnorf also said the Dreamers are moving forward with plans to add staff and move from interim quarters in the Maitland area to more permanent downtown office space. 

"The Orlando Dreamers have kept Orange County abreast of developments, but there has been no change in status and no meetings so far," a spokesperson for Orange County said.

The Dreamers' request for Tourism Development Tax funds to help move forward plans to bring a team to Central Florida was not selected by Orange County last year.

The Rays recently walked away from a deal with St. Pete and Pinellas County that would have built a new stadium next to Tropicana Field and redeveloped the historic Gas Plant district.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch responded by saying he doesn't plan to renegotiate a deal with the team until a new ownership group takes over. Team president Matt Silverman has said the team is not for sale.

MLB Commissioner Rod Manfred has said repeatedly that he wants to keep the Rays in the Tampa Bay area.