Rays Stadium Deal, Attendance and Tampa Bay Branding Push Continue

Hillsborough commissioners voted 5–2 to make the proposed ballpark eligible for half-cent sales-tax funding and approved bonds for part of the county contribution; coverage cites $90 million in sales-tax funds and up to $263 million in bonds, subject to financing and judicial conditions. Hillsborough College portables have arrived at the site, but this does not establish that construction has begun. The $2.36 billion, 31,000-seat project is targeted for 2029; lease and other funding questions remain unresolved, with no confirmed relocation agreement.