Rival New York Yankees support new Rays ballpark plan in Tampa

The New York Yankees are supporting the Tampa Bay Rays’ plan to build a new stadium and related development at the existing Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus, which is next door to the Yankees’ Spring Training facility.

The team’s support comes despite the rivalry on the field, and after the Rays finished the 2025 season playing home games at the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field.

“For 30 years, Hillsborough County’s continued support of our infrastructure has enabled the Yankees to maintain their spring training operations and player development in Tampa, driving significant economic growth and tourism to the city,” the team said in a statement.

“Over that same stretch, the county has accordingly invested significant support toward the Lightning and Buccaneers, furthering the profound transformation of our region, including the proliferation of major events that bring an influx of spending to our city.”

Noting its rivalry during games, the Yankees added that despite competition, they “are partners here in Tampa Bay.”

“The construction of a new ballpark adjacent to George M. Steinbrenner Field is a defining opportunity to continue the county’s growth and deliver a game day experience that Rays fans have more than earned,” the team’s statement continued.

“Our organization fully supports the thoughtful approach being used to fund the Rays ballpark project, as it aligns with decades of similar successful strategic investment decisions directed by the County, City and Sports Authority. We also trust that our municipal partners will retain previously earmarked funds for Tampa’s other professional sports venues and continue to consider their needs in the decades to come. Maintaining and enhancing all of our venues in a first-class fashion should remain a priority for ensuring the sustained ascent of Hillsborough County and the greater Tampa Bay region.”

The statement came just hours after the Tampa Bay Business Journal reported that Tampa City Council member Alan Clendenin, also a member of the Tampa Sports Authority working on the $2.3 billion stadium deal, said the deal is about 80% done.

Reports have indicated the Hillsborough County Commission could vote on a deal as soon as April 15, though various sources have noted to Florida Politics that such a timeline is lofty.

The Yankees statement also comes after Florida Politics Publisher Peter Schorsch reported on Tuesday that more questions had arisen about Tampa Sports Authority board member Andy Scaglione’s possible conflicts of interest and profiteering attempts related to a previous stadium deal, which officials attempted to negotiate in 2017 and 2018.

At the time, Scaglione supported a deal to build a stadium in Ybor City where he owned several parcels of land. Now, he’s been publicly critical of the Hillsborough College plan.

In addition to a potential Hillsborough County Commission vote on April 15, the team is also hoping for a vote the next day by Tampa City Council members. Both boards are expected to take up a memorandum of understanding regarding the contentious stadium project.

The Rays are working aggressively to meet a tough timeline, with its plan to have the team playing in a new Tampa stadium for the 2029 season. Its contract with the city of St. Petersburg to play ball at Tropicana Field ends at the conclusion of the 2028 season.

Under its current proposal, the Rays are expected to foot 54% of the bill on the stadium cost — about $1.3 billion — with the remaining $1 billion to come from the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County. The Rays have said the team would cover any potential cost overruns.