Tampa Sports Authority

In a letter, the Florida senator cited the rapper's history of "antisemitic" rhetoric, including support for Hitler, and questioned allowing the hip-hop star to perform this month in a taxpayer-funded facility.

Local government support for the Rays' ballpark was fragile before the tax measure went on the November ballot. Now, the Tampa Sports Authority is writing a letter to state its priority: Raymond James Stadium.

Terms include the sports authority receiving some revenue from non-USF events. TSA would also be positioned for greater involvement in the Fowler corridor, including the planned MOSI Fieldhouse.

If commissioners approve the non-binding memorandum of understanding, the city council will vote on its part of the financing the following day.

The non-binding memorandum of understanding drops the public money involved to $976 million. The deal must be voted on next week by the Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council.

About $150 million sought to rebuild Hillsborough College isn't in the first spending offers. Budget committee Chair Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, says the state won't act until stadium financing is complete.

Presentations from the team and city staff are slated on how Tampa can cover a proposed $251 million share of the project's financing through a CRA and the Community Investment Tax.

The team said it remains committed to a 2029 opening but pushed back on Hillsborough officials' requests for stronger financial guarantees and earlier private funding disclosures.

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 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.

Discussions about needs and costs come as the NFL team nears a 2027 decision on extending its lease, and the Rays are seeking about $1.15 billion in public money for a new ballpark across the street.