Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
Hillsborough County and Tampa approved up to $876 million in public money for a Tampa Bay Rays ballpark in 2026. The Tampa Sports Authority told the county that Raymond James Stadium's needs must be accounted for, and Commissioner Joshua Wostal opposes the deal.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The authority's June letter cited about $500 million in maintenance projects needed to keep Raymond James Stadium in its current condition, and the Buccaneers' plans for renovations that could cost about $1 billion, roughly two-thirds of it public money. The team's lease ends on January 31, 2028, and it must tell the authority by January 31, 2027 whether it plans to renew. The authority does not vote on county spending, so its letter is advisory. County commission chair Ken Hagan, who sits on the authority's board, has said the county has money for the existing venues as well as the ballpark.
The county's share is to come from the renewed Community Investment Tax, tourist development tax bonds, $103 million from other funds and $30 million in federal disaster-recovery money. The county attorney said the approvals do not release any money, and that a court must first validate the bonds. The Rays plan to open the ballpark for the 2029 season.
People in this case
Ken HaganDirectly involved
Joshua WostalDirectly involved
Timeline
5 timeline entries on this page. Dates: May 20, 2026 to November 10, 2026
May 2026
County and city approve a non-binding framework for the Rays ballpark
Incident
Hillsborough County commissioners approve a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the $2.3 billion ballpark, 5-2, and the Tampa City Council approves its version.
[01]Bucs Stadium Push Could End Up Complicating Rays Ballpark Deal
Front Office Sports report on the Buccaneers' expected push for a $700 million to $1.3 billion renovation of Raymond James Stadium and its overlap with public funding for the Rays ballpark.
[02]A new Rays stadium in Tampa gets clinching Hillsborough County approval
WUSF report on the county commission's 5-2 approval of the Rays ballpark agreements, a day after the Tampa City Council approved its part 4-3, with remarks by commissioners and Mayor Jane Castor.
June 2026
Tampa Sports Authority board votes to write to the county about Raymond James Stadium
Incident
At its June 2 meeting, the authority's board votes, on board member Tony Muniz's motion, to send the county a letter saying any Rays deal must also account for upkeep and upgrades at Raymond James Stadium.
[03]Tampa Sports Authority puts spending priority in writing. It's Raymond James Stadium
WUSF report on the Tampa Sports Authority's letter to county commission chair Ken Hagan, which the board voted to send at its June 2 meeting, with quotations from the letter and from board member Tony Muniz.
August 2026
Tampa City Council approves the financing agreement 4-3
Incident
The council approves the city's part of the stadium financing agreement by a 4-3 vote.
[02]A new Rays stadium in Tampa gets clinching Hillsborough County approval
WUSF report on the county commission's 5-2 approval of the Rays ballpark agreements, a day after the Tampa City Council approved its part 4-3, with remarks by commissioners and Mayor Jane Castor.
Hillsborough County Commission approves the ballpark agreements 5-2
Incident
Commissioners approve the development and funding agreement, the team guaranty and a non-relocation agreement. Ken Hagan, Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Christine Miller and Chris Boles vote yes; Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal vote no.
[04]Hillsborough BOCC Approves Development and Funding Agreement, Guaranty, and Team Non-Relocation Agreement to Bring Tampa Bay Rays to Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County news release on the commission's 5-2 vote of August 28, 2026, approving the development and funding agreement, guaranty and non-relocation agreement for the Rays ballpark, with a statement by board chair Ken Hagan.
[02]A new Rays stadium in Tampa gets clinching Hillsborough County approval
WUSF report on the county commission's 5-2 approval of the Rays ballpark agreements, a day after the Tampa City Council approved its part 4-3, with remarks by commissioners and Mayor Jane Castor.
November 2026
Commissioners take the first funding steps after Amendment 3 passes
Incident
A week after voters approved Amendment 3, commissioners set aside $90 million from the renewed Community Investment Tax, 5-2, and authorize up to $263 million in tourist-tax bonds, 5-1. Final bond details are expected in December.
[05]Hillsborough takes next step toward use of CIT, tourist taxes for Rays stadium
WUSF report on the county commission's November 10, 2026 votes setting aside Community Investment Tax money and authorizing tourist-tax bonds for the ballpark, after voters approved Amendment 3.
Response record
Responses
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4 matching responses. Newest first.
Joshua WostalHillsborough County commissioner, at the November 10 commission meetingDirectly involvedBefore this statement
WUSF reports that besides the tax money, the county has committed $103 million from other unspecified funds and $30 million in federal disaster-recovery money.
"The factual reality is that this deal was not drafted with Amendment 3 in mind; this $103 million or so of property taxes could absolutely be used to stabilize the county's finances as they figure out how to manage the passage of Amendment 3"
CondemnedCase context: Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
Full statement and sources
After voters approved Amendment 3, Wostal says the deal did not anticipate it and that about $103 million in property taxes committed to the ballpark could instead stabilize county finances.
After the statement
WUSF describes Wostal as a staunch opponent of the stadium deal and reports that the votes did not release any funds or begin bond validation.
Why this label?
Wostal opposes the funding steps and says the property-tax money in the deal should go to the county's finances instead, which condemns the deal.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Ken HaganChair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, in a county news releaseDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The county release says commissioners voted 5-2 to move forward with an agreement on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry Campus Ballpark project.
"Today's vote marks a monumental step toward securing a forever home for the Tampa Bay Rays, while integrating a new Hillsborough College campus into an $8 billion private sector investment"
Defended or excusedCase context: Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
Full statement and sources
After the 5-2 vote, Hagan says the agreements mark a monumental step toward a permanent home for the Rays and calls the project the largest, most transformative development in county history.
After the statement
Hagan adds that it will be the largest, most transformative development in county history and the nation's first live-work-play-learn district anchored by an MLB ballpark.
Why this label?
Hagan, who led the county's negotiations, praises the approval of the ballpark agreements and the public commitment behind them, which defends the deal.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
- Joshua WostalHillsborough County commissioner, speaking before the August 28 voteDirectly involved
Before this statement
WUSF reports that Wostal lamented the inclusion of Community Investment sales taxes, which were marketed to voters as not being used to build new stadiums.
"This is money that was dedicated and promised and marketed to the community in 2024 that we would prioritize their needs over other people's wants"
CondemnedCase context: Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
Full statement and sources
Voting no, Wostal objects that Community Investment Tax money, which voters were told in 2024 would not build new stadiums, goes into the deal, and calls any yes vote a dereliction of duty.
After the statement
He adds that any yes vote on that money going toward anything but protecting the community is a continued dereliction of duty.
Why this label?
Wostal votes against the agreements and says spending the sales-tax money on the ballpark breaks a promise to residents, which condemns the deal.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Tampa Sports AuthorityPublic agency that operates Raymond James Stadium, in a letter signed by its board chairDirectly involved Before this statement
WUSF reports that the letter maintains the authority's support for bringing the Rays to Tampa but says its priority is to maximize its economic impact on the region by keeping the stadium up to date.
"It is in all of our best interests to ensure that RJS remains a world-class venue, and we continue to meet all the NFL standards identified within our use agreement"
Mixed or conditionalCase context: Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
Full statement and sources
In a letter to county commission chair Ken Hagan, the authority says it still supports bringing the Rays to Tampa but that its priority is keeping Raymond James Stadium up to date, and asks the county to weigh the needs of its aging venues as it finalizes any Rays agreement.
After the statement
The letter cites about $500 million in maintenance needs and the Buccaneers' renovation plans, and asks the county to consider the needs of Raymond James Stadium and other aging venues as it finalizes any agreements with the Rays.
Why this label?
The authority backs the effort to bring the Rays to Tampa but says any public spending on the ballpark must also account for Raymond James Stadium, a conditional position.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Official statement
Hillsborough BOCC Approves Development and Funding Agreement, Guaranty, and Team Non-Relocation Agreement to Bring Tampa Bay Rays to Hillsborough County
Relevant passage: Full news release
About this source
Hillsborough County news release on the commission's 5-2 vote of August 28, 2026, approving the development and funding agreement, guaranty and non-relocation agreement for the Rays ballpark, with a statement by board chair Ken Hagan.
- Author
- Hillsborough County
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Hillsborough takes next step toward use of CIT, tourist taxes for Rays stadium
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
WUSF report on the county commission's November 10, 2026 votes setting aside Community Investment Tax money and authorizing tourist-tax bonds for the ballpark, after voters approved Amendment 3.
- Author
- Rick Mayer, WUSF
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
A new Rays stadium in Tampa gets clinching Hillsborough County approval
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
WUSF report on the county commission's 5-2 approval of the Rays ballpark agreements, a day after the Tampa City Council approved its part 4-3, with remarks by commissioners and Mayor Jane Castor.
- Author
- Rick Mayer, WUSF
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Bucs Stadium Push Could End Up Complicating Rays Ballpark Deal
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Front Office Sports report on the Buccaneers' expected push for a $700 million to $1.3 billion renovation of Raymond James Stadium and its overlap with public funding for the Rays ballpark.
- Author
- Eric Fisher, Front Office Sports
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Tampa Sports Authority puts spending priority in writing. It's Raymond James Stadium
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
WUSF report on the Tampa Sports Authority's letter to county commission chair Ken Hagan, which the board voted to send at its June 2 meeting, with quotations from the letter and from board member Tony Muniz.
- Author
- Rick Mayer, WUSF
- Published
- Accessed
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- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
- First published
- Last updated
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The Dispute Index. "Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark". First published: 2026-11-14. Last updated: 2026-11-14. https://disputeindex.com/cases/tampa-sports-authority-raymond-james-stadium-rays-ballpark-public-money