Hillsborough County to hold stadium workshop this afternoon as Rays dial up pressure

Hillsborough County will hold a Rays Stadium workshop this afternoon to consider the funding MOU submitted by the team last week. You can watch the proceedings starting at 1:30 PM.

The workshop is largely for commissioners to gather more information, which means it will also be the public’s best opportunity as well. Remember that Florida’s Sunshine Law means the County can’t have any meetings in private, so this kind of info gathering and discussion happens “in the sunshine.”

Ahead of the meeting both the Rays and the Governor interestingly seem to be adding pressure for the County as well.

CEO Ken Babby authored the letter that — for the first time, since the new ownership group took over — includes a threat that not meeting the team’s funding requirements could result in the team leaving the area, including key statements like, “Should this commitment ultimately not be achievable, we would have no choice but to evaluate alternatives…” and “Failure to meet these timelines risks the loss of critical state funding for Hillsborough College, which would render the deal economically infeasible.”

#Rays CEO Ken Babby sent a letter to Hillsborough County Commissioners in advance of today’s workshop on stadium funding request, recapping team commitment, their ask and their timeline.

Here are a couple of the key passages:

“The financial framework is foundational to the…

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 16, 2026

Also:

“The deadlines we have set are driven by practical constraints, not pressure tactics. Failure to meet these timelines risks the loss of critical state funding for Hillsborough College, which would render the deal economically infeasible. In addition, missing the 2029…

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 16, 2026