Officials in Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa are moving closer to reaching an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball franchise regarding the construction of a new stadium at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus.

Public support worth nearly $1 billion

Under the proposed memorandum of understanding, Hillsborough County would contribute approximately $796 million toward the project, while the city of Tampa would add another $180 million. Combined public support would therefore total roughly $976 million.

However, that figure still falls short of the approximately $1.1 billion in public funding originally sought by the Tampa Bay Rays ownership group. As a result, questions remain about how the full financing structure for the development will ultimately be completed. The total cost of the project has been estimated at around $2.3 billion. The new stadium would be built on the Dale Mabry campus in Tampa and would become the team’s future home once its lease at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg expires.

The project includes not only the construction of a modern baseball stadium, but also a large entertainment and residential district featuring restaurants, commercial spaces, and recreational areas. Rays executives have described the investment as a generational opportunity for the entire Tampa Bay region. As modern entertainment districts around stadiums continue to evolve, fan habits and lifestyle-focused marketing trends are changing as well. Products such as pablo nicotine pouches — are becoming increasingly visible. At the same time, experts note that the growing presence of nicotine-related brands around major sporting events is also fueling broader discussions about advertising standards and the potential impact on younger audiences.

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Rays to cover part of the costs

Tampa Bay Rays CEO Ken Babby emphasized that the organization is prepared to actively participate in the development and hopes local authorities will quickly approve the memorandum.

The team has agreed to contribute approximately $120 million through ticket surcharge bonds and revenue generated from portions of the surrounding real estate development. Additional ticket fees would not exceed $3.50 per ticket, while lower-priced tickets under $39 would remain exempt from the surcharge. The Rays would also retain rights to sponsorship revenue, naming rights, and portions of the commercial activities surrounding the stadium complex.

Local officials stress that the current document is nonbinding and should be viewed primarily as a declaration of intent between the franchise, the city, and the county. Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin noted that many financial and operational details still need to be negotiated before any final agreement is reached.

In practice, the memorandum functions more as a framework for future negotiations than a finalized stadium deal.

Concerns grow over public funding

The biggest controversy surrounding the project continues to involve taxpayer risk. Several local politicians fear that financing the stadium could threaten funding for other critical public priorities such as safety services, transportation infrastructure, and emergency response programs.

One of the most vocal critics has been Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who warns that backing bonds with future tax revenue could expose the region to major financial risks. Wostal has also criticized plans to potentially use reserve funds that are intended for emergency situations and natural disaster recovery.

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for transportation upgrades and infrastructure improvements around the campus, while firmly rejecting direct state funding for the stadium itself. State officials and several lawmakers continue to argue that local authorities and the Rays organization must first reach a complete agreement before additional public money is considered.

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Critical weeks ahead for the Rays

According to Tampa Bay Rays officials, the framework for the agreement must be finalized by June 1 if the organization wants to stay on track to open the new stadium ahead of the 2029 MLB season.

For the Tampa Bay region, the project carries enormous significance not only from a sporting perspective, but also economically and symbolically. At the same time, the scale of public funding involved has turned the stadium proposal into one of the most controversial investment debates currently unfolding in Florida. The coming weeks will determine whether all parties can reach a final agreement and secure the future of the Rays in the Tampa Bay region for decades to come.