The Tampa Sports Authority is expected to vote Tuesday on requesting an economic impact study for a proposed $2.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays stadium, as the team pledges to cover half the construction costs.

The Rays have offered to pay $1.15 billion for the new ballpark and handle all future cost overruns, repairs, maintenance and renovations. The remaining funding would come from public sources, including tourist development taxes, community investment taxes, and property tax revenue from the surrounding area.

Both the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County would need to commission studies to assess whether the investment makes financial sense for taxpayers before any agreement could move forward.

The proposal calls for a development modeled after The Battery Atlanta at Truist Park, featuring a baseball stadium surrounded by restaurants, bars, retail shops and residential units. Officials envision an entertainment district that functions year-round, not just on game days.

The Rays have selected Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus as the site for the new stadium. Relocating the state-funded campus would require finding a nearby location, with the Westshore District identified as a possible option. The college would need to complete its move before construction could begin.

Team officials want the new stadium operational by Opening Day 2029, leaving approximately 6 months for the Sports Authority, the city, the county, and the team to finalize an agreement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to address the stadium proposal during a visit to Hillsborough College on Tuesday.

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