Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet to give up 110-acre state land for Rays stadium
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Florida’s Cabinet and Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed Tuesday to give Hillsborough College a 110-acre state-owned site in Tampa to use as the Rays’ stadium.
Last month, the Rays’ owners signed a memorandum of understanding to build a mixed-use stadium and entertainment district on the university campus, as well as renovate some of its buildings.
A small section of the property, located next to the New York Yankees spring training facility and across from Raymond James Stadium, was owned by the state of Florida.
The state reserves the right to reclaim the land if components of the new stadium do not exist within five years of the transfer, according to the cabinet agenda item.
“This is, without a doubt, a pivotal moment for Tampa Bay, and the Rays are fully committed to this moment to make this vision a reality and serve our region for generations to come,” said Rays CEO Ken Babbyin a statement.
Earlier this month, DeSantis and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfredheld a press conference in Tampa to support the Rays’ stadium initiative. The Rays have expressed their hope to have the stadium built within three years.
The Rays have stated that they will pay at least 50 percent of the cost of the new stadium, with the rest of the funds coming from the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County. DeSantis declared this month that the state will not directly fund the stadium.
Since its debut in 1998, the team has played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, except for moving its home games to the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field in 2025, following hurricane damage to Tropicana Field. The Rays’ lease extends at least through the 2028 season. The team returns to the Trop this season.
A $1.3 billion redevelopment deal for a new stadium adjacent to the Trop fell through last year, raising new questions about the future of the team, acquired last September by Patrick Zalupski’s ownership group.
