Ken Hagan

Commissioner Ken Hagan tells WDAE existing restricted revenues can fund most of the county's share, but critics of the plan say taxpayers are still exposed through reserves and emergency dollars.

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

The proposal comes after weeks of negotiations with local officials but has not been vetted by public boards. It lays out ambitious economic projections to recoup the upfront investment.

The price tag of a new Rays stadium in Tampa is estimated to be a minimum of $2.3 billion. Hillsborough County commissioners are digging into whether that cost can work.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said he's confident the Rays can work out a deal to build a stadium on the North Dale Mabry campus. If not, he told WDAE, don't be surprised if they end up in Orlando.

Dr. Rick Workman, once the Orlando group's primary financier, is now the third largest investor in the assemblage planning to keep the team in Tampa Bay. Law firm owner John Morgan says he is also out.

The Orlando group said it has a lender for the largest and safest portion of the money needed to buy a baseball franchise. Known as senior debt, it makes it easier and cheaper for the Dreamers to borrow.

Hillsborough commissioners selected a company to redevelop the 67 acres around the museum. The proposed plan is a multiuse development, and the county also wants to add an indoor sports complex.

Commissioner Ken Hagan says Hillsborough County should be part of the discussion if the Tampa Bay Rays follow through on a plan to split seasons between…