Rays stadium decision looms as Hillsborough OKs millions for Steinbrenner Field
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The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners agreed to put almost $18 million toward renovations at Steinbrenner Field — but the Rays shouldn't assume they'll get similar treatment.
Why it matters: It isn't clear where the Rays want to build their stadium, but the question still loomed over the vote, and two GOP commissioners made clear there's little appetite for putting tax dollars into professional sports.
Driving the news: The board voted 6-1 on Wednesday to allocate $17.96 million in bed tax revenue for upgrades to Steinbrenner Field, where the New York Yankees train; the team has committed an additional $21.9 million.
- The renovations include the installation of security cameras, replacement of AC units, repaving of the parking lot, and installation of a new scoreboard.
- Commissioner Joshua Wostal (R) voted in favor but told Axios that he did so only because Hillsborough County owns the stadium, while Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda (R) voted against it.
What they're saying: "I do disagree that we should be paying for the sound systems, security cameras, lighting, magnetometers for a major league team that's worth billions of dollars," Wostal said at the meeting.
- "But," he added, "leaders of the past had made the decision to purchase this, and it is a county asset that requires us to maintain a safe standard where we could assume liability for any harm."
Between the lines: Republicans on the board have only recently begun operating as a cohesive bloc, a shift that commissioners attributed to the state's version of DOGE in statements to Axios.
- In recent months, the board has eliminated its affordable housing trust and cut funds for dozens of nonprofits. Last month, DOGE accused the county of "wasteful spending."
- A Rays stadium in Hillsborough County would test the board's new spending discipline and the limits of its unity.
State of play: Commissioner Ken Hagan (R) is vying for the team to build a stadium in the county, and Commissioner Christine Miller (R) has told Axios that she's at least open to hearing the team out.