Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that the state will support plans to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium on Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus.
The governor appeared alongside MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred at a morning news conference in Tampa, where both emphasized the importance of keeping Major League Baseball in the Bay Area.
“Baseball Belongs in Tampa Bay,” DeSantis Says
“Baseball belongs in Tampa Bay. Baseball can succeed in Tampa Bay,” DeSantis said. “We’re here to say the state is gonna be supporting this proposal to use this HCC location to be the site of the new stadium.”
DeSantis said a new ballpark would benefit not only sports fans but also Hillsborough Community College and families across the region. He noted that Rays principal owner Patrick Zalupski and the team’s leadership have studied what makes modern ballparks successful nationwide.
A Stadium in the Heart of Tampa’s Sports District
The proposed ballpark would sit in the shadow of the New York Yankees’ spring training complex and directly across from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The location places the Rays in one of the most concentrated sports corridors in the country.
Few Financial Details Released So Far
While both DeSantis and Manfred voiced strong support for the project, they offered few specifics about cost, financing, or a construction timeline.
Manfred said long‑term success for any franchise depends on a strong partnership between the team, the community, and local government.
“Today’s an important day, a milestone along a path that I believe will lead to the Tampa Bay Rays being a part of this community for decades to come,” Manfred said.
Rays–HCC Agreement Mirrors Truist Park Model
Last month, the Rays signed a nonbinding memorandum of agreement with Hillsborough Community College to redevelop a 113‑acre site along Dale Mabry Boulevard. The project resembles the Truist Park development in Atlanta, pairing a stadium with a surrounding entertainment district.
Plans include a hotel, retail and residential areas, restaurants, bars, and a new academic building for HCC.
County Commission to Review Proposal Wednesday
The Hillsborough County Commission will discuss the proposal during its Wednesday meeting. An agenda item notes that the Rays intend to “bear a minimum of 50% of the cost of the construction of a ballpark.”
The remaining cost—still undisclosed—would require some form of public funding. It remains unclear whether the county or city would consider using local financing tools such as the bed tax.
Any final funding framework must be approved by the county commission, the City of Tampa, and the Tampa Sports Authority.
State Support Stops Short of Direct Funding
DeSantis said the state will not provide direct stadium funding but could assist with road improvements and relocating a nearby juvenile justice facility to accommodate the project.
Rays Face a Tight Timeline
The Rays’ lease at Tropicana Field expires in 2028, though it could be extended if construction runs long. The team has explored relocation options in the past, including Orlando.
Manfred said he does not view the current proposal as a last‑chance effort to keep the Rays in Tampa Bay.
“I do think we’re at a point in the history of the club that something needs to get done, but I would be hesitant to characterize it as it’s this or never again,” he said.
