Funding a new Rays stadium could be even harder this time
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From left, Tampa Bay Rays co-chairs Bill Cosgrove and Patrick Zalupski and CEO Ken Babby pose for a photo at their first news conference since buying the team. Photo: Kathryn Varn/Axios
When the new owners of the Tampa Bay Rays introduced themselves this month, details on a new stadium were sparse.
- But team co-chair Patrick Zalupski made clear that a public-private partnership would be "critical" for their vision of a ballpark and surrounding mixed-use development.
Why it matters: That could mean the team will seek public money at a time when local governments are facing state scrutiny over spending, a looming property tax cut and competing priorities.
The big picture: While the new owners haven't announced a location for a new stadium, local elected officials told Axios that a partnership with the Rays could be a hard sell — and some have dismissed the idea outright.
- "I'd be delighted if the team made a new permanent home here in Tampa," City Council Member Lynn Hurtak said, "but the days of taxpayers subsidizing billionaire sports teams are over."
- The Rays declined to comment for this story.
Zoom in: The new owners are reported to have an eye on Hillsborough, where county commissioners have spent more than $20 million on sports facilities this month alone, with major renovations still needed at Raymond James Stadium.
- A request to spend more tax dollars on sports would go before a Republican-led board that has made a show of axing its financial support for affordable housing trusts and nonprofits.
- "Any decision would need to make sense for our residents and taxpayers and reflect the county's current lean fiscal priorities," Commissioner Chris Boles (R) said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she wouldn't spend tax dollars on building a stadium but is open to funneling public money toward surrounding infrastructure.
- Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin told Axios that he believes "if the right deal is brought before both the City Council and the County Commission, that we have enough reasonable members" to reach an agreement.
Friction point: Council members Hurtak and Charlie Miranda questioned how residents would benefit from subsidizing a new home for the Rays.
- "What does the public get?" Miranda told Axios. "The revenue is going to be shared between the owners and the players."
- "I think they may end up where they came from," he said, referring to Tropicana Field.
Zoom out: Pinellas Commissioner Vince Nowicki, who voted against the previous stadium deal in St. Petersburg, which fell through, told Axios he sees that outcome as "the best thing for taxpayers everywhere."
- St. Pete is spending $60 million to repair the hurricane-damaged ballpark to house the team through the 2028 season.
Yes, but: Proposals to redevelop the 86-acre site — with or without a stadium — have begun rolling in.
- "It seems to me that we need to move on in St. Petersburg and figure out what we're going to do with a large piece of property in our town," said Council Member Richie Floyd, a staunch critic of stadium subsidies.
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