Original Tampa Bay Rays owner Vince Naimoli has died at 81.

The Rays announced his death nearly five years after being diagnosed with an uncommon brain disorder.

The Tampa businessman had been part of unsuccessful bids to purchase and relocate the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants. He landed an American League expansion franchise in 1995 that began play as the Devil Rays in 1998.

He sold the club to a group led by current Rays principal Stuart Sternberg in 2004 and relinquished control after the 2005 season.