Land transfer approved for proposed Rays ballpark in Tampa

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved transferring a 22-acre plot of state land in Tampa to Hillsborough College for a proposed Rays ballpark; the state retains the right to reclaim the land if key stadium components are not in place within five years.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet agreed to transfer 22 acres (49 hectares) of state land in Tampa to Hillsborough College for use in a proposed ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays' ownership recently signed a memorandum of understanding to build a stadium, a mixed-use entertainment district on the college campus, and to renovate some college buildings. The parcel is next to the New York Yankees' spring training facility and across a highway from Raymond James Stadium. The state’s agenda item says it can reclaim the land if the stadium "components" do not exist within five years of the transfer. Key details: - The Cabinet approved giving Hillsborough College a 22-acre plot of state land in Tampa for the proposed stadium and related development. - The Rays ownership entered a memorandum of understanding to build a stadium and mixed-use entertainment district on the college campus and to renovate some college buildings. - The state retains the right to take back the land if required stadium "components" are not in place within five years of the transfer. - The Rays have said they would pay at least 50% of the stadium cost, with the remainder to come from the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County, and Gov. DeSantis has said the state will not provide direct funding. - The Rays have expressed hope of completing the stadium within about three years; the team has played at Tropicana Field since 1998 and has a lease through at least the 2028 season. Summary: The land transfer moves the college-based stadium plan forward by securing state-owned property for development and placing a five-year condition on required stadium components. Undetermined at this time.