Tampa Bay Rays Eye New Stadium Location at Hillsborough College
In a significant move for the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet have officially incorporated 22 acres at Hillsborough College into discussions for a potential new stadium site. This decision marks a key step in the Rays' ongoing quest for a new home.
The Rays, in collaboration with Hillsborough College, are exploring the use of approximately 113 acres on the Dale Mabry Campus for a proposed stadium and a mixed-use development. This plan includes utilizing 22 acres of non-conservation land, which is currently underutilized, primarily serving as a parking area. The proposal suggests that transforming this space could offer more public benefits than its current state ownership.
Governor DeSantis, along with Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, are acting as the Board of Trustees for the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, which manages most state lands. They have approved a plan requiring Hillsborough College to update its campus master plan within a year to align with the dual missions of education and supporting a Major League Baseball franchise. This includes maintaining existing government leases until any modifications are agreed upon with the Rays.
The college is also expected to collaborate with the Rays on necessary applications and permits, with state agencies urged to expedite their reviews to support the project.
The land in question has a storied history, having been acquired by Florida from the U.S. government in 1947. Since then, it has been under the stewardship of the college and other state agencies.
The Rays' ownership group, which took over the team last year, is seeking a public-private partnership for this venture. Any agreement will require backing from both the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.
This development is part of a long-standing effort by the Rays to secure a new stadium, having played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg for years. The need for a new venue became more pressing after a hurricane damaged the domed stadium in 2024, forcing the team to relocate temporarily to Steinbrenner Field.
The proposed project aims to emulate successful mixed-use developments like The Battery Atlanta, which complements the Braves' Truist Park. Governor DeSantis has indicated that funds from deferred maintenance projects could be redirected to support the campus's transformation, emphasizing a preference for investing in the new development over refurbishing old buildings.
Additionally, the Florida Senate's proposed budget includes $50 million to help the college relocate facilities for the stadium, although this funding is not mirrored in the House's spending plan.
Governor DeSantis has historically been cautious about using tax dollars for professional sports venues, vetoing a $35 million proposal in 2022 for a new spring-training facility for the Rays in Pasco County. His stance reflects a careful consideration of public funds in sports-related projects.
As the Rays continue their pursuit of a new stadium, this latest development at Hillsborough College could represent a pivotal moment in the team's future, offering fans and the community a promising new chapter.