Ken Hagan calls the ballpark vote "a monumental step" toward a forever home for the Rays
Ken HaganChair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, in a county news release
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.
“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”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Tampa Sports Authority puts Raymond James Stadium first as Hillsborough County and Tampa commit public money to a Rays ballpark
Hillsborough County commissioners voted 5-2 on August 28, 2026, to approve agreements for a $2.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark on Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus, a day after the Tampa City Council approved its part 4-3. The county committed up to $796 million and the city $80 million; the Rays are to pay more than $1.3 billion and any cost overruns. In June, the Tampa Sports Authority, which runs Raymond James Stadium across the road, wrote to the county that any Rays deal must also account for the stadium's upkeep and for the renovations the Buccaneers want as part of talks on extending their lease. On November 10, after voters approved Amendment 3, which reduces the property taxes available to local governments, commissioners took the first funding steps 5-2.
Source and context
Official statement
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.
Before the quotation
The county release says commissioners voted 5-2 to move forward with an agreement on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry Campus Ballpark project.
After the quotation
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.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
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.
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The Dispute Index. "Ken Hagan calls the ballpark vote "a monumental step" toward a forever home for the Rays". First published: 2026-11-14. Last updated: 2026-11-14. https://disputeindex.com/events/8944-after-the-5-2-vote-hagan-says-the