$75bn injection under scrutiny as franchise gets first glimpse of ‘forever home’ but questions raised

Tampa Bay Rays fans have been treated to renders of the franchise’s proposed ‘forever home.’

After deciding to leave Tropicana Field, a site was located to build a $2.3 billion ballpark in the Drew Park neighborhood.

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With 30,000 seats under a roof, the stunning design would be a massive lift for the Rays.

The club is asking for $1 billion in public funding, which may yet prove to be an impassable hurdle.

Tampa Sports Authority is also being asked to fund a refurbishment of Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL‘s Buccaneers.

An economic impact study by AECOM commissioned by the Authority reported that the stadium and surrounding mixed-use development could inject a staggering $75 billion into the area over 30 years.

For context, that is three times what the Washington Commanders’ new stadium is projected to create.

How much money will the Rays’ ballpark generate?

AECOM’s study includes 9,750 annual jobs and $2.2 billion in gross fiscal impacts from tickets and taxes among other sources.

Those numbers have come under scrutiny, with impact assessments in general a point of contention whenever a large construction project promises vast riches in exchange for initial capital.

AECOM analyst Dillon Gilman wrote that “results should be interpreted considering key assumptions and limitations.”

“This report does not provide any recommendations regarding development or financing of the project or any component thereof, nor does it express or imply any terms of agreement between the parties involved,” he added.

The Rays previously came up with a figure of $55.5 billion over the same period.

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With a projected completion date of 2029, the team hopes to average 20,500 fans over the first three seasons.

Now the Rays must navigate tricky waters and seal a final agreement.

In May, the Tampa City Council approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with a narrow 4-3 margin.

It took six hours of debate to secure victory, suggesting that there is plenty of opposition to the plan.

Per Front Office Sports, yes-voting council members Bill Carlson and Naya Young are not certain to back the final proposal.

“To be clear, I am not saying I’m in favor of a baseball stadium,” Young said. “What I’m saying is, ‘I’m willing to continue the conversation and fully unpack the possibilities.’”

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Rays CEO Ken Babby passed on a message from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred at the meeting.

“We are in the late innings of a very long game with the future of baseball in Tampa Bay hanging in the balance,” he said. “We have faith in Tampa Bay as a major league city.”

Once the Rays and A’s are set up in new homes, Manfred’s next mission is to expand the league to 32 teams.

Nashville, Portland, and Salt Lake City are among the favorites.

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