Story perspectives

Hillsborough County Approves $2.3B Rays Stadium Deal

8/29/2026

Summary

Commissioners Approve Development

Hillsborough County Commissioners approved an investment partnering with Tampa Bay Rays and the City of Tampa.
Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Christine Miller, Chris Boles and Chair Ken Hagan voted yes.
Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal voted no.
The plan creates a mixed-use neighborhood anchored by a renovated Hillsborough College campus and a ‘Forever Home’ ballpark.
Rays CEO Ken Babby thanked the commissioners for making history with the mixed-use development.

Summary

County Owns Stadium

County will own the $2.3 billion stadium under a 35-year lease that prohibits relocation.
The Rays will pay $4 million annual rent for the stadium.
Funding combines $796 million county tax, $80 million city, $1.37 billion private Rays, and $30 million federal aid.
Orlando’s Dreamers view the Tampa agreement as a severe blow to MLB expansion hopes.
Academic studies suggest public financing of sports venues yields negligible economic benefits for taxpayers.

History

Historical Context

The 1966 Oakland Coliseum, built for $25.5 million through a public-private partnership headed by developer Robert T. Nahas, showed that stadium subsidies seldom boost tax receipts. Decades later, Hillsborough County pursued a $2.3 billion mixed-use ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays, echoing the same financing model. Both projects illustrate the long-standing debate over public money for sports venues.

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Commissioners Approve Development

Hillsborough County Commissioners approved an investment partnering with Tampa Bay Rays and the City of Tampa.
Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Christine Miller, Chris Boles and Chair Ken Hagan voted yes.
Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal voted no.
The plan creates a mixed-use neighborhood anchored by a renovated Hillsborough College campus and a ‘Forever Home’ ballpark.
Rays CEO Ken Babby thanked the commissioners for making history with the mixed-use development.

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