Source: Associated Press
Summary
The Tampa Bay Rays received county approval for a $796 million share of a $2.3 billion stadium project. Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday. The Rays’ new stadium, set to open in 2029, will replace Tropicana Field. The city of Tampa approved $80 million earlier in the week. Rays CEO Ken Babby called the deal a long-term commitment to MLB in the area. The team will contribute at least $1.3 billion, with $30 million from federal funds. The stadium will be near Raymond James Stadium and next to the Yankees’ spring training facility. The Rays have played at Tropicana Field since 1998, with a lease through 2028.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
The Rays got the county to approve a stadium deal, another step in a long, slow process.
They’ve been in a dome since 1998, now chasing a new home for 2029.
Local officials kept voting, but the team still had to pay most of the bill.
The future was doubted, but now it’s moving forward, again.
The Rays are still just trying to stay in Tampa.
Author: Evan Null
County Approval and Stadium Plans
The Tampa Bay Rays received approval from Hillsborough County on Friday for their stadium financing plan. The county voted 5-2 to approve its $796 million share of the $2.3 billion project. The new stadium will replace Tropicana Field, which has been the team’s home since 1998. The Rays’ new ballpark is expected to open in 2029 and will be located near Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
City and Team Contributions
The Tampa City Council approved $80 million for the stadium project earlier in the week. The Rays have committed to contributing at least $1.3 billion, plus any cost overruns. Another $30 million will come from federal disaster recovery funds. The team’s ownership has been working on the project for years, with previous attempts to secure a new ballpark facing setbacks.
Location and Surroundings
The new stadium will be built on the campus of Hillsborough College, next to the New York Yankees’ spring training facility. It will also be across a highway from Raymond James Stadium. The Rays have played at Tropicana Field for most of their history, with a lease that runs through at least the 2028 season. The team temporarily moved home games to the Yankees’ George M. Steinbrenner Field in 2025 due to hurricane damage at the Trop.
Previous Attempts and Challenges
A proposed $1.3 billion redevelopment deal for a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field fell through last year. This raised concerns about the team’s future in the area. The Rays were bought by Patrick Zalupski’s ownership group in September 2023, adding another layer of uncertainty. Despite the challenges, the team and local officials have continued working toward the new stadium.
Future Outlook
Rays CEO Ken Babby called the recent approvals a milestone in securing the long-term future of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay. He said the new stadium would be a “Forever Home” for the team. Patrick Zalupski, the team’s new owner, described the vote as an “extraordinary milestone” for the region. The project is seen as a major development for the Tampa Bay area, though the Rays have had to navigate years of delays and financial hurdles.
