A Decisive 5–2 Vote Caps a Historic Week
One day after the Tampa City Council passed the Rays stadium agreement on August 27, 2026, Hillsborough County commissioners followed with their own approval, voting 5–2 to finalize the county’s portion of the deal. The vote mirrors the margin from the original memorandum of understanding earlier this year and signals unified momentum behind the project.
Commissioner Ken Hagan, who has spent more than a decade working to bring the Rays to Tampa, called the vote a landmark moment for the county and the franchise. His long‑running effort to secure a permanent home for the team reached its culmination as commissioners endorsed the financing structure, land use plan, and long‑term commitments needed to move construction forward.
The Deal That Brings the Rays Home
The agreement outlines a modern ballpark and a large mixed‑use district built on the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus. The county’s vote affirms its share of the funding package and clears the way for final documentation between the Rays, the city, and HCC leadership.
The plan includes a designated College District to protect future academic needs, along with new retail, residential, and entertainment development designed to reshape the area around Raymond James Stadium. County leaders emphasized that the financing relies on existing revenue streams and does not require new taxes.
A Vision Driven by Persistence
Hagan’s role in the project has been central. For years, he has worked through stalled negotiations, shifting political landscapes, and competing regional interests. His push to create a “forever home” for the Rays in Tampa has been a defining feature of his tenure, and today’s vote reflects the culmination of that long campaign.
Commissioners who supported the deal said the project will generate thousands of jobs, attract new investment, and strengthen Tampa’s identity as a major sports hub. Those opposed raised concerns about long‑term public costs and the impact on St. Petersburg, which had hoped to retain the team.
What Unified Approval Means for Tampa Bay
With both the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County now aligned, the Rays, the city, and the county enter a new phase of collaboration. The approvals give the franchise a clear path to begin construction, provide certainty for investors, and establish a shared regional commitment to the stadium district. For the Rays, it marks the long‑awaited promise of a permanent home. For Tampa and Hillsborough County, it represents a generational redevelopment opportunity that ties together sports, education, and community growth.
