Harry Cohen says the ballpark will show a worldwide audience "the place I want to be"
Harry CohenHillsborough County commissioner, speaking before the August 28 vote
Before voting yes, Cohen says the stadium's intangible benefits include the exposure Tampa Bay gets when national television cameras show the community to a worldwide audience.
“We've shown that we can win championships in this community ... And when we do, and when the network television cameras pan over Hillsborough County and they look over the sun setting over the bay, and a worldwide television audience sees this community, you know what they're gonna say to themselves? That's the place I want to be.”
Reporting
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
Reporting
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.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
WUSF reports that before his vote in favor, Cohen described what he called the intangibles that would result from the stadium, primarily the positive exposure for the Tampa Bay area.
After the quotation
Cohen goes on to say it is the place people will want to live, visit, open a business and raise a family.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Cohen argues that the ballpark is worth its cost because of the exposure it brings the region, and votes for it, which defends the deal.
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Read the full caseJoshua Wostal says the ballpark deal "was not drafted with Amendment 3 in mind"
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The Dispute Index. "Harry Cohen says the ballpark will show a worldwide audience "the place I want to be"". First published: 2026-11-14. Last updated: 2026-11-14. https://disputeindex.com/events/8945-before-voting-yes-cohen-says-the-stadium-s