Ken Babby

CEO Ken Babby says the Rays want Tampa's 3.5% contribution to the $2.3 billion stadium, but "we can't beg." Meanwhile, an Orlando group makes a move as the eleventh hour nears for the Tampa proposal.

Predominant features in the new drawings are sky views through the see-thru cantilevered roof and an larger aquarium-like rays touch tank showcased in an expansive plaza entrance.

Board members of the redevelopment agency told Ken Babby they don't want all the future money going to the team. He said the larger community would benefit from what is called the "halo effect."

A CRA board vote scheduled for Thursday could be pushed back to July 23. Meantime, the Rays will meet with Drew Park residents on Wednesday, who have complained about being left out of the discussions.

In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, CEO Ken Babby says the economics behind the $2.3 project are settled after local approvals of a non-binding MOU, with the focus now on nailing down unresolved issues.

Mayor Jane Castor says she expects the city council and county commission to pass the non-binding agreement, allowing negotiators to fill in the blanks on multiple documents in the complex deal.

The billionaire attorney calls Rays managing partner Patrick Zalupski a friend with whom he's had regular contact. The Rays, however, have an agreement to negotiate stadium plans only with Tampa and Hillsborough.

During a nearly four-hour meeting, councilors heard their first presentation on the stadium from Rays CEO Ken Babby, learned more about what public funding would be required and listened to dozens of citizens.

Joshua Wostal tells WDAE the county is investigating nearly 3,000 emails sent to commissioners from one IP address in Los Angeles. He also questions whether the Rays have the financing to avoid taxpayer risk.

The Battery Atlanta's mixed-use development hasn’t been able to pay off Cobb County's $300 million subsidy, casting doubt on the Rays' similar strategy to cover a billion-dollar ask of taxpayers, writes an economist and lifelong Braves fan.

Despite a Rays warning that changing the timeline would jeopardize the project, the team says it's working "diligently" on a response to the county's list of 14 unresolved conditions.

The county commission also received the requested outside legal opinion on whether it could use the Community Investment Tax to help fund the stadium.