{"id":126443,"date":"2026-01-21T14:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/126443\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:40:09","slug":"tampa-bay-rays-in-mou-to-build-new-stadium-on-hillsborough-college-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/126443\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Rays in MOU to Build New Stadium on Hillsborough College Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Tampa Bay Rays have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hillsborough College to redevelop the college\u2019s 113-acre Dale Mabry campus to become a new baseball stadium and mixed-use development.\n<\/p>\n

MLB.com<\/a> reports the campus is south of George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees\u2019 Spring Training facility in Tampa that the Rays are using as a temporary home while their home venue at Tropicana Field is undergoing repairs from hurricane damage. The team is scheduled to return to Tropicana Field on April 6.<\/p>\n

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The MOU also includes the creation of new facilities for Hillsborough College, which has 180 days to negotiate and approve a final agreement with the team. The Rays would lease the campus for 99 years and be responsible for building the mixed-use development that could include lodging, retail, multifamily, commercial, and healthcare properties.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s still great work ahead of us to be able to bring this to reality,\u201d Rays CEO Ken Babby said in a press conference after the college\u2019s board of trustees unanimously voted to approve the MOU. \u201cBut what I can say with certainty is that we believe with conviction that we\u2019re going to be able to create a world-class work-live-learn-play development here in Tampa Bay, and we\u2019re very, very encouraged and pleased by today\u2019s outcome.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Details on the dimensions and budget for the new stadium were not disclosed. The Rays have been stymied in their efforts to move out of Tropicana Field, with plans for a new stadium in neighboring St. Petersburg falling through over disagreements on public funding.\n<\/p>\n

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis voices his support of the Hillsborough College campus redevelopment, telling reporters at a press conference, \u201cBaseball can succeed in the Tampa Bay area, I have no doubt it can succeed.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

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