The Tampa Bay Rays have settled on a stadium site: Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus.

[Uffda]

This would put it right across the street (Dale Mabry) from Raymond James Stadium (Buccaneers) and next to Steinbrenner Stadium (Yankee minor league)
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The Tampa Bay Rays have settled on a stadium site: Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus.

The Hillsborough College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. on Jan. 20 to hear the Rays’ plan for the site.

The Rays have asked the college to enter into a final binding agreement, which would result in a “major transformation” of the campus, according to the meeting agenda.

[Greg S]

Thoughts on the site?

Is that the area near Raymond James Stadium and where the Yankees spring training site is?

[Uffda]

If you look at the graphic, Raymond James is right across the street to the east and the yankee stadium is on the same piece of land - in the NE corner.
If the Buccaneers and the rays are playing at the same time, it could make things very interesting when it comes to parking in traffic in that area. I know they had to stagger game times the last fall because the rays were playing at the Yankee Stadium, and the Buccaneers would have a home game.
I know they’re talking about other multiuse being created around the stadium because for walk ability there’s just not a whole lot close by.

[Flyer14]

I like the site, almost anywhere is better than their current situation. Time will tell if the city likes the move because as it is they are consistently near the bottom for attendance.

[Uffda]

Rays tell Hillsborough they’ll cover at least 50% of Tampa stadium cost

The first details of what the Tampa Bay Rays are seeking from Hillsborough County have emerged, less than a month after the team honed in on Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus as its preferred stadium site.

The Rays say they plan to pay at least 50% of the stadium cost, according to a document from Commissioner Ken Hagan’s office posted as part of the agenda for the Wednesday Hillsborough County Commission meeting. The team would also cover construction cost overruns as well as future repairs, maintenance and renovations.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsboro ... s-manfred/

[OverlookedFarm]

I'm a frequenter of Tampa. Been going twice a year for the better part of 20 years or more.

My thoughts:
1. All the infrastructure for a stadium is right there. Parking, transportation, steak houses, chick-fil-a's, 2001 Odessey right on Columbus/Dale Mabry. Best location possible.
2. There really isn't anywhere else to put it, unless they look east of Ybor.
3. Going to St Pete is a pain, for everyone, any time you have to go. Never should have been there to begin with.
4. Property is insane in Tampa. Nothing is cheap.

The claim it will raise attendance: Highly skeptical.

Sports in TPA are mixed. The city is 80% expats, they really don't care about the local team. They care about the Bears, Packers, Yankee and Tide. USF Bulls, Bucs have major attendance issues. In fact the new USF football stadium moving to the campus is being scaled back in capacity. There are simply too many other things to do in the area for people to attend sports, let alone an MLB game.

The Lightning are a success because of the density that has been built around the Channelside area. The streetcar is free, and actually works there to shuttle people from Ybor to the Riverwalk and points inbetween. There is no space downtown to put a MLB stadium. All the open areas near Ybor are protected to keep the old aesthetic of the district.

[Uffda]

First look at Rays’ proposed stadium at Hillsborough College site
The team released initial renderings of the ballpark they aim to open in 2029, but funding still has to be worked out.





https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/20 ... lege-site/

[Louie]

Looks like a SoFi copy.

[Uffda]

Not much to report. They go back and forth between Hillsborough County, Tampa, the Rays and the state on different financial options….who is going to pay what. I think a couple months ago they were close and then the governor proposed a property tax cut that threw everything up in the air again, because officials not sure how that will effect county and city finances

[Uffda]

Here’s a 1st look inside the Rays’ planned ballpark. It is eye-catching
Renderings show fans sitting in the air-conditioned stadium with views of planes overhead. And yes, there will be a version of the ray tank.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/20 ... srendering

[Uffda]

Tampa city council voted today -8/27 - to approve their part of the new stadium financing. County commissioners vote on their piece tomorrow.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/20 ... dium-vote/

[Greg S]

Tampa city council voted today -8/27 - to approve their part of the new stadium financing. County commissioners vote on their piece tomorrow.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/20 ... dium-vote/

Is this the area where the Bucs play along with Yankees spring training?

[CBJason]

Tampa city council voted today -8/27 - to approve their part of the new stadium financing. County commissioners vote on their piece tomorrow.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/20 ... dium-vote/

Is this the area where the Bucs play along with Yankees spring training?

Yes, Buccaneers stadium, Steinbrenner Field and Hillsboro Community College. The site of the college is where the stadium will actually go. The college will be located in new buildings constructed as part of the mixed use area.

[CBJason]

And just like that the county commission has also voted in favor. Rays get a new home for the 2029 season!
https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2 ... mpa-future

The A’s stadium is under construction, while the Royals and Rays now have full approvals. Depending on when a new labor agreement is agreed to MLB will likely now look to expand by 2 more teams.

[Greg S]

And just like that the county commission has also voted in favor. Rays get a new home for the 2029 season!
https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2 ... mpa-future

The A’s stadium is under construction, while the Royals and Rays now have full approvals. Depending on when a new labor agreement is agreed to MLB will likely now look to expand by 2 more teams.

It will be interesting to see if they can make it by 2029. I know the Royals seemingly have a head start and theirs is hopefully going to be ready by 2030, but they haven't ruled out 2031. Maybe because they have more site prep and demo to do in KC.