The Philadelphia Phillies moved a significant step closer Thursday to a sweeping renovation of their Clearwater spring training complex after Pinellas County commissioners voted to commit public funding to the project.
In a 6-1 vote, the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners approved a term sheet directing $85 million in tourism dollars toward the $205 million redevelopment of BayCare Ballpark and the adjacent Carpenter Complex.
The county’s contribution would come from tourism development taxes rather than property taxes, with the full investment tied to a 20-year lease extension that would keep the Phillies in Clearwater through at least 2047 — marking nearly a century of continuous spring training in the city.
The Phillies would contribute $75 million of their own funds and assume responsibility for any cost overruns. A $20 million state grant, structured to be repaid to the city of Clearwater over time, is also part of the financing mix. The team has already invested approximately $49 million into early phases of the project, including structural upgrades and new amenities, ahead of a finalized lease.
Planned improvements include expanded concourses, upgraded lighting and video systems, new concessions, enhanced fan gathering spaces, and significant upgrades to player development facilities. An economic analysis commissioned by the City of Clearwater estimates the Phillies generate roughly $80 million annually for the local economy — a figure that would total at least $1.6 billion over the life of a 20-year lease.
The vote was not without dissent. One commissioner questioned whether the deal relies too heavily on public dollars relative to private investment, citing broader skepticism around publicly subsidizing professional sports — though the concern centered more on the financing structure than the partnership itself.
Under the term sheet, the Phillies will retain all naming rights revenue from the ballpark and pay $550,000 per year for use of BayCare Ballpark and the Carpenter Complex. Phillies owner John Middleton called the approval one of the most meaningful achievements of his tenure with the club.
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