Hillsborough County Commissioners gave the Rays stadium plan a crucial boost on Friday, voting 5-2 to approve county funding for the $2.3 billion ballpark project and clearing another major hurdle for the team’s move toward construction.
That county vote came one day after Tampa City Council approved its share of the deal in a tight 4-3 decision, putting both sides on record behind the proposal and advancing the franchise’s push to build a new stadium and mixed-use development on the Hillsborough College North Dale Mabry campus.
The financial structure remains massive. Under the latest agreement, Hillsborough County would be responsible for about $800 million, while the City of Tampa would contribute $80 million.
The Rays would cover a little more than half of the estimated cost. Tampa’s portion would come through an $80 million loan paid in four installments, with the loan eventually repaid by revenue generated from development around the stadium.
Until that revenue starts flowing, the city would carry the interest, which could run between $40 million and $50 million.
Thursday’s council meeting stretched into hours of debate after beginning at 12:30 p.m., with dozens of public speakers weighing in on both sides. Supporters pointed to economic benefits, campus improvements at Hillsborough College and the Rays’ place in the community. Opponents argued the promised economic upside might never materialize, said the process was moving too quickly and insisted billionaires should fund their own stadiums.
“ When you look at your kids, grandkids, your children, that when they're graduating from that college, and they have that internship, they have the job, or the workers at the ballpark, that you can turn to them and say... ‘I was a part of that. I helped your future,’” one public speaker said.
“This is your legacy,” another public speaker said. “You guys, none of you will be sitting on council by the time all of the revelation of what this turns out to be comes to pass. You do not want people remembering you as the people who screwed the city 20 years ago.”
Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak was blunt in her opposition to using public money for the deal.
“Now is the time to prove that Tampa is the smart city,” she said. “Tampa is the one that finally said no to the surge of forcing taxpayers to subsidize billionaire team owners.”
Rays CEO Ken Babby called the city’s approval a meaningful step for the club.
“It was nearly 14 weeks ago that we were in the room here and voted on an MOU,” he said. “Today is a really important step forward in securing the forever home of the Tampa Bay Rays right here in Tampa.”
Mayor Jane Castor also praised the council’s action in a statement, saying the project would bring jobs, investment and long-term benefits to the region. Babby said the vote showed strong support for the team’s future in Tampa Bay and said the organization looked forward to moving ahead with county approval.
The Rays have said they need to get shovels in the ground this fall if the new stadium is going to be ready for Opening Day in April 2029. The team’s latest proposed contract created the framework for that timeline and for the broader redevelopment around the ballpark.
The stadium project would also reshape the Hillsborough College North Dale Mabry campus. Early plans call for an “innovation zone” around the stadium, with new academic buildings and redesigned existing spaces intended to create a more connected, mixed-use campus. The redevelopment could also open the door to workforce development, internships and educational programs tied to the Rays and nearby businesses.
Hillsborough College President Ken Atwater said the school is ready to get moving.
“We're excited that the city has moved,” he said. “Let me just tell you that college has been waiting, and we're anxious and ready to get started.”
Atwater said the college’s first step would be setting up temporary facilities so classes can continue while construction is underway.
Friday’s county meeting was a special session, and it had not been completely certain the commission would approve the deal. At least two commissioners had voiced reservations last week, and additional procedural votes are still needed after the city and county settle the main terms.
Even with Friday’s vote, more steps remain before construction can begin. The timing of the stadium build and the surrounding development will depend on those remaining approvals, but the Rays still want to break ground this fall.
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