In a press conference that didn’t offer many specifics but carried plenty of weight, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent a clear message: he’s backing the idea of keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay - and he’s on board with a public-private partnership to make it happen.
That show of support might just be the missing piece in a stadium saga that’s dragged on for decades. While there were no hard numbers on the cost of a new ballpark or how much the Hillsborough College land is worth, what did come through loud and clear was political momentum - and that could be a game-changer.
For Hillsborough County officials, especially those on the fiscally conservative side, DeSantis’ endorsement offers crucial political cover. When the time comes to vote on public funding for a new stadium, they’ll be able to point to the governor’s support - a powerful ally in a high-stakes decision.
“It’s immeasurable,” said County Commission Chair Ken Hagan. “This is the first time I can remember a governor publicly backing a new ballpark. And that goes a long way.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred echoed that sentiment, noting that the level of support from both the community and government is unusually strong compared to other stadium efforts around the country. “When was the last time you saw a governor show up to say, ‘I think this is a good idea’?” Manfred said.
To be fair, this isn’t the first time a Florida governor has backed a Rays stadium plan. Charlie Crist supported a proposed site at Al Lang Stadium back in 2007, but that effort fizzled amid neighborhood opposition and legal hurdles. DeSantis, by contrast, had largely stayed out of the Rays’ stadium discussions - until now.
In fact, his relationship with the team has been rocky at times. When Pasco County lawmakers tried to earmark $35 million for a youth baseball complex that would’ve included a Rays spring training facility in 2022, DeSantis vetoed the plan. He said then that he didn’t want state money going toward stadiums and took aim at the team’s political activism, particularly their stance on gun control.
So what’s changed?
While DeSantis insists no state dollars will be used for stadium construction, his actions say otherwise - at least indirectly. By supporting a plan to redevelop the 113-acre Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College, he’s effectively greenlighting the use of state-owned land for the stadium. Under a memorandum of understanding, the Rays would lease that land from the state for a new ballpark and mixed-use development, while the college would be rebuilt on a smaller footprint nearby.
That’s not just a nod of approval - it’s a major assist. The state would be giving up valuable land and investing tens of millions to rebuild the college campus, plus additional infrastructure like roads and sewer systems. It’s not cash in a stadium fund, but it’s a significant public investment all the same.
“If this vision comes into reality, the land would be worth a lot more,” DeSantis said. “This helps the economy - no question - whether it’s families attending games, events, shopping, or dining in the area.”
The Rays’ pitch hinges on the idea that the development will eventually pay for itself. Public funding, expected to top $1 billion, would be recouped through sales taxes, fees, and other revenue generated by the new district. Hagan noted that a rental car surcharge - often floated in stadium deals - is probably off the table.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the governor’s support, combined with the promise of “new revenue streams,” makes the decision to commit public funds more palatable. “Of course, that makes it easier,” she said. “If there’s an outside funding stream, then it definitely makes it easier to make that decision on building the stadium and then the infrastructure that goes with it.”
So is this the breakthrough moment Tampa Bay has been waiting for?
“I feel extremely positive,” Hagan said. “The fact that, for the first time, the governor has come out in support of this ballpark project - we’ve never had that before.”
Still, there’s a long road ahead. Hagan was quick to note that the real work begins when the details come into focus: who pays what, how the public-private split is structured, and how the funding will be used. Those negotiations will be intense, and the numbers will matter.
But for a franchise that’s spent years in limbo - bouncing between stadium proposals in Tampa, St. Pete, Ybor City, and even Montreal - this moment feels different.
The political stars might finally be aligning. And if they do, Rays fans could be looking at a future where their team stays right at home in Tampa Bay - in a brand-new ballpark with the governor’s stamp of approval.