TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted on Tuesday to give 22 acres of land to Hillsborough County College as a part of a broader plan that would allow for a new Rays stadium.<\/p>\n
The governor, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia all voted in favor of transferring the land.<\/p>\n
The vote marks a significant step in a long running effort to anchor the team to Tampa Bay with plans for a massive redevelopment project around the corner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that that\u2019s going to really change the character of the area for the better,\u201d said DeSantis.<\/p>\n
The 22 acres include three plots above the campus,<\/a> along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, near George M. Steinbrenner Field.<\/p>\n The discussion came as the team and Hillsborough County continue to work on a deal for 113 acres of land around the Dale Mabry Campus.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby released the following statement after the vote:<\/p>\n The Tampa Bay Rays are grateful for the approval granted today by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet for the conveyance of state land to Hillsborough College for the purpose of redeveloping the Dale Mabry Campus site for our proposed new ballpark, reinvented campus, and live, work, play, and learn district to open in 2029.\u00a0 The support by Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet today underlines our belief in the power of this generational project, and the many lasting benefits it will deliver.\u00a0 Our momentum is real and growing, thanks to the remarkable spirit of community and statewide partnership that our ownership group has been privileged to experience from the start.\u00a0 This is undoubtedly a big moment for Tampa Bay, and the Rays are fully in this moment to bring this vision to life, and serve our region for generations to come.<\/p>\n After years of uncertainty around tropicana field and past failed deals, the cabinet\u2019s vote is said to be throwing the ball forward.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone\u2019s just going to go watch baseball just because they love it. You\u2019ve got to draw them with other things. The lightning have done a great job with making it the place to be. That\u2019s why they sell out, and I definitely think there\u2019s potential in Tampa for this,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n Supporters say it could trigger major economic development, while opponents worry about whether this move will be fair to the taxpayers.<\/p>\n \u201cThis vote today was to make sure we continue the conversation,\u201d said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. \u201cI just want to make sure the taxpayers are being looked out for, so i\u2019ll be watching closely.\u201d<\/p>\n Another key piece to the puzzle centers around funding. State Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills)<\/a>, requested $50 million in the budget<\/a> for Hillsborough County College to be able to afford any possible changes, but the house is lacking that same appropriation, setting up another clash in the final weeks of session.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n