MLB team weighing up $2.3bn ballpark deal without city’s involvement ahead of key date
The Tampa Bay Rays have dreams of building a state-of-the-art ‘forever home’ in time for Opening Day in 2029.
A move from the recently-renovated Tropicana Field, to a re-imagined Hillsborough College campus 20 miles away, was announced seven months ago.
The Rays hope to build a $2.3 billion ballpark and surrounding development, with the aim of one day offering fans the ‘best experience’ in baseball.
A current draft agreement, approved in May by both the Hillsborough County Commission and the Tampa City Council, outlines a $967 million public contribution toward the cost of the new stadium at the Dale Mabry Campus.
Of that figure, approximately $796m would come from the county, and $180m from the city.
But according to county commission chair Ken Hagan, the MLB team might actually build their new ballpark with less — or no money — from Tampa.
Hagan spoke about a potential deal during an appearance on local radio earlier this week, and suggested the Rays are working on a plan that could limit how much money the public would have to chip in.
“It’s just a matter of the Rays determining which is the best and quickest path for them,” he told St. Petersburg-based WDAE-AM.
“If it involves the city, if it doesn’t, or to what degree it does.
“Ways are being explored to essentially carve the city out to the extent that’s possible.
“So one way or the other, I’m confident that we’re going to be able to get a deal done here very, very soon.”
While final details still need to be ironed out, the Rays have opened a search for a stadium contractor, and plans to announce its pick in less than a month, on August 14.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, construction on the new ballpark could start as soon as that day.
“This deal needed to be finalized yesterday,” Hagan added, per the outlet.
“We need to have answers in August and there needs to be shovels in the ground in September.”
Rays release new renders for proposed ‘forever home’
Earlier this month, the team released a handful of renderings of the interior of their proposed Tampa ballpark, offering fans a first glimpse inside the ‘forever home.’
Highlights of the interior included the next evolution of the Trop’s popular ray tank, which allows fans to pet live cownose rays during games.
The ballpark’s primary plaza entrance will be in center field, and one of the features of the gateway area will be a larger, deeper aquarium feature.
A general seating bowl that brings fans close to the action, with Babby boasting that those behind home plate will be ‘closer to the catcher than the catcher is to the pitcher.’
The see through windows and roof will offer a clear view of the surrounding development and sky above the ballpark, with the club suggesting dynamic lighting systems will help enhance night games.
Designs for the new stadium, though, could still evolve.
“Ballpark design is always in motion, but we felt it was time to pause and share with our fans where we are today and anticipate going in the future,” Rays chief executive officer Ken Babby said, as he shared the images.
“What we are unveiling today is a response to what Rays fans have told us they want.
“A comfortable and inviting ballpark that honors the intimate connection between fans and the game, while at the same time incorporating modern amenities and design innovations that they expect and deserve.
“We’re listening and working hard to deliver on what we feel will be the best ballpark experience in the game, bar none.”
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