Photo Credit: tampabay.com
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The proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium remains in limbo after recent actions by the Tampa City Council slowed the approval process. Meanwhile, political leaders continue debating who should play a role in the negotiations. Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds believes local officials should control the process, while Tampa Mayor Jane Castor criticized council members for delaying key votes. Despite those disagreements, the Rays continue pursuing a new ballpark that could open for the 2029 Major League Baseball season.
Donalds addressed the issue during a Friday news conference and made it clear that he does not believe Florida’s governor should direct stadium negotiations. Instead, he said Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay Rays should reach an agreement that serves local residents. Donalds argued that state leaders should avoid becoming involved in local stadium projects because that approach could encourage similar expectations across Florida. He emphasized that local governments should manage and control those decisions without interference from the governor’s office.
Donalds currently represents Florida in Congress and entered the Republican gubernatorial primary with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. He remains the leading candidate to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Unlike Donalds, DeSantis has shown a greater willingness to support the stadium effort. Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature approved $50 million for improvements to Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus, the proposed stadium site. DeSantis also said the state could assist with infrastructure improvements. However, he has repeatedly stated that Florida will not contribute money toward construction of the stadium itself.
While state leaders debated their roles, the Tampa City Council created new obstacles for the project. Council members took two significant votes Thursday that delayed negotiations. First, the Community Redevelopment Agency Board voted 5-2 to remove discussion of its proposed $100 million contribution from the Aug. 20 agenda. Council member Bill Carlson requested the delay because he wanted the Rays to negotiate directly with the agency before any financial decision moved forward.
Board members argued that conversations involving the Rays, Hillsborough County, city staff, and Mayor Jane Castor’s administration could not replace direct negotiations with the Community Redevelopment Agency. Later that day, the City Council voted 4-3 against sending a comprehensive plan amendment for the Dale Mabry campus to state agencies for review. Although the vote did not reject the stadium proposal, it delayed the state review process and eliminated a September adoption hearing that Hillsborough College expected.
The proposed development carries an estimated price tag of roughly $2.3 billion. Plans include a new baseball stadium and a surrounding mixed-use district on Hillsborough College’s Drew Park campus across from Raymond James Stadium. The Rays pledged more than $1.2 billion toward construction and agreed to cover any project cost overruns. Public funding would include Hillsborough County tourist development taxes, community investment tax revenue, and a proposed $100 million contribution from future Drew Park property tax collections through the Community Redevelopment Agency.
The current public financing proposal totals $976 million. Hillsborough County would provide $796 million, while the City of Tampa would contribute $180 million. Earlier this year, Hillsborough County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding by a 5-2 vote. Additionally, the Hillsborough College Board of Trustees approved a lease agreement supporting the proposed development. Team officials continue targeting the 2029 season for the stadium’s opening.
The Rays currently remain under lease at Tropicana Field through the 2028 season. Consequently, team officials hope to finalize financing decisions as soon as possible. Negotiations have stretched across nearly two decades. However, the process accelerated after Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field’s roof in October 2024. The Rays played the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field while repairs continued. The club returned to Tropicana Field this season after repairs concluded.
The franchise also experienced major ownership changes during the stadium search. Former owner Stu Sternberg abandoned plans for a new stadium in St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District in March 2025. Later that year, a group led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski purchased the Rays for a reported $1.7 billion. The new ownership group pledged to keep the team in the Tampa Bay region and quickly shifted its focus toward building a stadium in Tampa.
Mayor Jane Castor expressed strong disappointment following Thursday’s council votes. She accused several council members of trying to derail the stadium proposal before negotiations reached a conclusion. In comments posted on X, Castor said she felt “beyond frustrated” with the council’s actions. She argued that city leaders should allow negotiations to continue before making decisions that could jeopardize the project.
Some council members defended their actions by pointing to the negotiation process. They expressed frustration because the Rays worked primarily with the mayor’s office instead of communicating directly with the City Council. Since council members also oversee the Community Redevelopment Agency, they believe they deserve a more active role before approving major financial commitments.
Bill Carlson continued discussions with the Rays after Thursday’s votes. On Friday, he shared a photo showing a meeting with Rays CEO Ken Babby. Carlson said productive conversations remain important despite disagreements over the project. He also noted that Babby plans to meet individually with every City Council member in hopes of rebuilding support for the proposal.
Gov. DeSantis also urged local leaders to reach a decision soon. Last month, he said the stadium negotiations must come to a conclusion one way or another before he leaves office. Although disagreements remain over financing and negotiations, both the Rays and local officials continue searching for common ground. Team leaders still hope to secure approvals in time to begin construction and welcome fans into a new Tampa stadium for the 2029 Major League Baseball season.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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