Overview
- Hillsborough College’s trustees voted unanimously to approve a nonbinding MOU that authorizes exclusive negotiations with the Rays for up to 180 days and can be terminated at any time.
- The concept reserves a southwest 'College District' for the school while the remainder of the site would be ground-leased to the team for not less than 99 years, with the Rays responsible for the mixed-use development.
- If public funding helps build the ballpark, stadium ownership would transfer to Hillsborough County, and detailed financing terms have yet to be determined.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis voiced support for pursuing the partnership and offered state help for infrastructure such as roads and sewers but ruled out direct stadium funding.
- Orlando is being discussed as a fallback if a Tampa deal falters, as local approvals and community input proceed and the college seeks $50 million in state funds for campus improvements on a timeline that aligns with the Rays’ 2029 target.