TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state will support the proposal to use the Hillsborough College location for a new Rays stadium at a press conference at Hillsborough College on Tuesday.
DeSantis spoke at 10 a.m. at Hillsborough College's District Administration Building on Feb. 3.
WATCH: DeSantis says state will support proposal for new Rays stadium at Hillsborough College
DeSantis was joined by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, HCC President Dr. Ken Atwater, and Rays ownership group representatives including Ken Babby and Patrick Zalewski. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Hillsborough County officials and representatives from the Rays were also in attendance at the press conference.
"Baseball belongs in Tampa Bay. Baseball can succeed in Tampa Bay," DeSantis said. "The state is going to be supporting this proposal to use this HCC location to be the site of the new stadium."
The governor says the project represents more than just a new ballpark, describing it as a comprehensive mixed-use development that could revitalize the area around the college campus.
DeSantis outlined the state's contribution to the project, which centers on land conveyance rather than direct financial support. The state will transfer ownership of the land to Hillsborough Community College, which will then negotiate usage agreements with the Rays.
Watch full press conference
"Our role here, in working with Hillsborough college is this land is basically owned by the state," DeSantis said. "We're going to be conveying the land to the college, and then they will be able to negotiate use with the Rays in ways that I think will be mutually beneficial."
The governor confirmed that several state buildings currently on the property will be relocated, including a Department of Juvenile Justice facility that was already planning to move and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement office that has requested relocation.
DeSantis also committed state support for transportation infrastructure improvements around the stadium site, noting the location's accessibility advantages for fans throughout the region.
While the state has committed to land conveyance and infrastructure support, negotiations between the Rays and local governments on stadium funding have yet to formally begin.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who has worked on stadium efforts for 16 years, said he expects negotiations to start within the next couple of weeks. The team has set a goal of playing in the new stadium by 2029.
"A minimum team's got to be in for 50% if not more," Hagan said regarding the expected funding split between public and private sources.
Hagan noted that tourism tax revenue would help fund the project, with different portions allocated for various sports facilities in the region.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the city continues exploring funding options that don't rely on taxpayer dollars, with additional revenue streams expected to be announced in the coming days.
Traffic management has also been a concern. Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said that the Tampa Sports Authority would handle traffic coordination, pointing to their successful management of 65,000 fans during Sunday's Stadium Series game. Hagan also noted that modern ride-sharing services would help reduce parking demands and traffic volume compared to traditional stadium operations.
The project faces a compressed timeline, with formal negotiations expected to conclude within the next couple of months to meet the 2029 target opening date.
The ownership group plans community meetings throughout the region to gather input on the development plans. More detailed renderings and project specifications will be released as negotiations progress.
DeSantis expressed optimism about the project's potential legislative support, noting that lawmakers would likely be more receptive to funding a comprehensive redevelopment rather than maintaining aging facilities.
The specter of Orlando as an alternative location for the Rays was acknowledged but downplayed by both DeSantis and Manfred during the press conference. DeSantis noted that Orlando "wants this" team and highlighted potential partnerships with Disney's Wide World of Sports and proximity to the Orange County Convention Center, but maintained that the Rays ownership is committed to Tampa Bay.
"They could have easily been doing a negotiation against one city or the other. They haven't done that," DeSantis said.
Manfred was more cautious when asked if this represented a "last chance" for Tampa Bay, stating he would be "hesitant to characterize it as this or never again," while acknowledging that "Florida is vibrant" and "there are alternatives in Florida." However, he admitted that "something needs to get done" for the franchise's future.
Tuesday's event took place the day before the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to discuss a proposed new Rays stadium at Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus.
Reporter Erik Waxler broke down the meeting agenda ahead of the Feb. 4 meeting, which says the Rays have expressed their intent to cover at least half of the stadium construction costs. The remaining portion, according to the agenda, could be funded through public sources.
On Jan. 20, Tampa Bay 28 reporter Chad Mills was at a meeting where the Hillsborough College trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Rays to build a new ballpark in Tampa.
After the MOU was approved, Tampa Bay 28's Erik Waxler spoke to an expert who studies the financial agreements between professional sports teams and the cities that host them, who said the new agreement between Hillsborough College and the Rays lacks specifics.
Since talks about a potential new stadium began, Tampa Bay 28 has spoken to St. Petersburg fans, Hillsborough College students and neighbors who live near the campus.
DeSantis has publicly supported the Rays-Hillsborough College relationship. While the governor has said the state will not finance stadium construction, he has indicated it could assist with infrastructure improvements related to the project.
This is a developing story. Tampa Bay 28 will provide more details as they become available.
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