The Tampa Bay Rays are one step closer to calling Tampa their new home. Team leaders and Hillsborough College approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding that allows formal negotiations to begin. The agreement focuses on redeveloping roughly 113 acres of the Dale Mabry Campus into a modern stadium district.

Redevelopment Plan Covers Stadium and Mixed-Use District

The proposal outlines a multi-phase project including a new ballpark, hotels, housing, retail, and new academic facilities for the college. Supporters say the plan could reshape Tampa’s sports corridor and strengthen the city’s identity as a major sports hub.

Supporters See a Transformative Opportunity

Tampa resident Sergio Castillo praised the project during the public meeting. He said the stadium cluster could boost the city’s profile and fan experience. Castillo noted the proximity to Raymond James Stadium and Amalie Arena, calling the location ideal for sports fans. Supporters also highlighted the campus’ closeness to Tampa International Airport, which adds to the site’s appeal.

St. Petersburg Voices Concern Over Potential Loss

Across the bay, the reaction was far more cautious. Author Peter Golenbock said the move would hurt St. Petersburg’s identity as a major league city. He doubts many Pinellas County residents would regularly travel to Tampa for games. Golenbock recalled how the Rays helped revitalize Central Avenue and fears losing that momentum.

Key Terms of the Memorandum

The agreement does not finalize financing, design, or construction timelines. Instead, it grants both sides 180 days of exclusive negotiations to reach binding contracts. Hillsborough College would retain a portion of the land known as the “College District.” The Rays would lease the remaining acreage for at least 99 years and control the stadium and surrounding development. The mixed-use district could include hotels, retail, multifamily housing, sports facilities, and commercial buildings. The Rays would have exclusive control over the mixed-use development during and after construction.

College Operations Will Be Protected During Construction

Both parties must agree on construction plans. The memorandum requires stadium work to minimize disruption to college operations. Temporary facilities may be built to support academic programs during construction.

Next Steps in a High-Stakes Stadium Race

The deal is not final, but it marks the clearest step yet toward a Tampa stadium. The Rays and Hillsborough College aim to complete a formal agreement within six months. If successful, the project could reshape Tampa’s sports landscape for decades.

Yes, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) had its flaws with controversial officiating but none of that changes the bigger truth that Morocco staged a tournament that celebrated African football.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be remembered as one of the finest editions in the tournament’s long and proud history.

The month-long football spectacle went far beyond goals and tactics as it became a celebration of African culture, unity, and sporting excellence.

From state-of-the-art infrastructure and seamless transportation to passionate crowds and unforgettable matches, AFCON 2025 reaffirmed why the competition remains one of the most compelling international tournaments in world football.

Despite late controversy surrounding the final, the overall success of the tournament should not be overshadowed. Instead, Morocco’s hosting has set a new benchmark for African football and reinforced AFCON’s growing global relevance.

AFCON 2025 transcended football

It was a cultural festival as six historical Moroccan cities hosted 24 African nations, welcoming fans from across the continent and the global African diaspora.

Cities such as Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, and Agadir came alive with music, colour, and celebration.

Stadiums were packed, fan zones buzzed with activity, and local businesses flourished as visitors immersed themselves in Moroccan hospitality.

What stood out most was how seamlessly Morocco combined football with cultural identity, from traditional cuisine to music and street festivals, AFCON 2025 felt like a showcase of African pride, not just a sporting competition.

A new standard for African development

One of the most impressive aspects of AFCON 2025 was Morocco’s infrastructure and they demonstrated why they are viewed as one of Africa’s most capable sporting hosts.

The rail network connecting Fez, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech made travel between host cities efficient and affordable.

Fans could attend matches in different cities without the logistical chaos that has plagued previous tournaments.

Even cities like Tangier and Agadir, though geographically distant, were well integrated into the tournament thanks to Morocco’s modern transport system.

At the heart of Morocco’s footballing vision lies the Mohamed VI Football Complex, a facility widely regarded as one of the best training centres in the world with 10 world-class training pitches amongst other facilities.

It was no surprise that Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi, a former England youth international, compared the Mohamed VI Complex to England’s St George’s Park in Staffordshire.

In addition, the complex served as a blueprint for how African football infrastructure should be developed and it is no exaggeration to conclude that Morocco delivered an organisational standard comparable to major FIFA tournaments.

African football excellence takes centre stage

Back to the pitch, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations delivered thrilling football action from start to finish, with Morocco waiting until the second half to score two goals against Comoros and Senegal’s hard-fought win against the hosts in the final game.

With four African coaches – Walid Regragui (Morocco), Pape Thiaw (Senegal), Eric Chelle (Nigeria), and Hossam Hassan (Egypt)- guiding their teams into the last four, the tournament showcased Africa’s tactical sophistication, depth of talent, and competitive balance.

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A total of 121 goals were scored in the tournament which further asserted the rise of the continent’s explosive forwards like Brahim Diaz, Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, Amad Diallo, Ademola Lookman and Sadio Mane.

Similarly, the impact of goalkeepers who showed the world that they can’t be ignored, from Edouard Mendy who made a historic penalty save in Sunday’s final to Stanley Nwabali who made two penalty saves in the third-place match against Egypt and Yassine Bounou’s brilliance as the tournament’s best shot-stopper.

AFCON 2025 shouldn’t be defined by final stain

Several irregularities marred Sunday’s final match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulaye Abdellah Stadium but it would be grossly unfair to allow these moments define the success of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

In comparison to the World Cup, the Euros and the UEFA Champions League, there have been controversial finals but the controversial incidents do not erase weeks of planning, world-class action and fans’ unity.

Sunday’s events – the controversial disallowed Senegal goal and the disputed penalty call – should prompt a deeper reflection and better officiating standards, and not overshadow Morocco’s organisational success.

The CBA ends in December.

The sparring between Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association Tony Clark continues as MLB gets ready for the 2026 season. The collective bargaining agreement between the players and the owners ends in December and the central issue seems to be this. The owners want cost certainty which could mean a salary cap and the players want no part of that. There is also the question of how much the owners are really hurting financially when the Los Angeles Dodgers owners can give Kyle Tucker a $64 million signing bonus within a four-year deal reportedly worth $240 million and the owner of the New York Mets franchise Steve Cohen can hand out a three-year deal to Bo Bichette that reportedly is worth $126 million. Of course, New York and Los Angeles are the two biggest markets in the country with a lot of wealth. It is the small market owners who are going to tell Manfred that cannot compete with the Dodgers and the Mets.

Manfred is trying to put a positive spin on the negotiations. “Until I got elected commissioner, all I did was labor relations. That’s how I made my living. I’ve never been in a negotiation where, before the first piece of paper went across the table, I, or anyone I represented, was out there saying, ‘This, we absolutely will not talk about.’ I just think it’s a hard way to begin a negotiation.” The players put out a statement that contradicts Manfred. “The league and owners say they want to avoid missing games but at the same time they appear to be dead-set on trying to force players into a system that, the last time they proposed it, led to the most missed games ever and a cancelled World Series” in 1994. The sniping continues.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Kyle Tucker