TAMPA, Fla. — The stadium plans of the new ownership group of the Tampa Bay Rays may become clearer soon.
The Hillsborough College board of trustees is scheduled to host a meeting Tuesday afternoon to hear the Rays idea of a stadium at the campus site.
Speaking on the “Hunks Talking Junk” podcast earlier this week, Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby said not only does the team feel the site is ideal for a stadium, the team remains adamant about being in a new ballpark by 2029.
“We intend to open a new ballpark by April of 2029,” Babby said. “That’s not a date we picked casually. We’ve studied comparable projects across the league, and we believe Tampa Bay deserves certainty and momentum.”
Babby emphasized a broader vision: a large-scale, mixed-use development that serves as an economic engine for the region including housing, retail, businesses, as well as a stadium.
“We’re not just building a ballpark,” he said. “We’re looking to build a mixed-use development — work, live, play — that creates jobs, attracts major companies, and delivers lasting economic impact for Tampa Bay.”
As a model for that vision, Babby pointed to The Battery Atlanta, the mixed-use development surrounding Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.
“We spend a lot of time — and we talk about this publicly — on The Battery in Atlanta, which everybody should check out,” Babby said. “It’s probably the singular best comparison we can find right now in North America to what building a true community looks like.”
According to multiple reports, the college’s board will discuss a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rays. From there, the parties would discuss an agreement that could be approved at a later date.
The college campus, located on North Dale Mabry Highway across from Raymond James Stadium, is about 108 acres. Officials have not said what would happen with college operations if a deal is completed.
The board of trustees controls the college while the land is owned by Hillsborough County.
Meanwhile, the Rays’ lease at Tropicana Field runs through the 2028 season. The team’s new ownership group, led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski, has targeted 2029 to be in a new stadium since taking over last year.
“We believe the city deserves this,” Babby said. “We believe the community deserves this,” he said. “And we believe baseball deserves a forever home right here in Tampa Bay. We’re committed to making that happen.”