Tampa Sports Authority signals concern over funding as Rays, Bucs stadium talks move forward

The Tampa Sports Authority voted to draft a letter urging county leaders to prioritize Bucs stadium negotiations amid discussions over a potential Rays stadium.

TAMPA, Fla. — As negotiations continue on a potential deal to bring the Tampa Bay Rays to Tampa, members of the Tampa Sports Authority are raising concerns about how another major stadium project could affect plans for Raymond James Stadium.

During a meeting Tuesday night, the Tampa Sports Authority voted to direct staff to draft a letter to county leaders emphasizing that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raymond James Stadium remain a priority.

The action comes as the authority continues lease negotiations with the Buccaneers, who are seeking roughly $1 billion in renovations to Raymond James Stadium. Final cost-sharing details are still being negotiated, but discussions have included the team paying about one-third of the project, with public funding covering the remainder.

Some board members expressed concern that there may not be enough public funding available to support both a Rays stadium project and the proposed upgrades at Raymond James Stadium.

“I think we should let the county know we’re concerned,” Tampa Sports Authority board member Tony Muniz said. “There’s only so much dollars we have out there and we need to take care of our current tenants. We all know this project is in the $1 billion range, before we commit our excess dollars to another entity, I think we need to make sure we take care for the Buccaneers first and Raymond James.”

The vote was not unanimous.

Tampa City Councilmember Alan Clendenin, who also serves on the Tampa Sports Authority board, cast the lone vote against the motion. Clendenin argued the letter was unnecessary and said this is “the Tampa Sports Authority not the Buccaneers Sports Authority.”

The board will now work on drafting the letter before members review it and decide whether to send it to county leaders.

The Tampa Sports Authority and the Buccaneers have until January to finalize lease negotiations.

Meanwhile, leaders involved in the proposed Rays stadium project are aiming to finalize an agreement later this summer.