Overview
- The Board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding that authorizes staff to negotiate with the Tampa Bay Rays but makes no binding commitments and can be terminated at any time.
- The MOU sets up to 180 days for drafting potential agreements that would return to the Trustees for future public votes.
- Rays CEO Ken Babby presented a concept for roughly 130 acres of mixed-use development with an integrated reconfigured campus, branded as Innovation Edge next to a proposed Champions Corridor for the ballpark.
- Reporting indicates a potential structure in which the college retains site ownership with a long-term lease to the team, possibly 99 years, and that county ownership tied to public funding could affect property taxes.
- No construction or relocation timeline was set, though the team has floated a 2029 opening goal, public comments were divided over economic benefits and student housing concerns, and state and local leaders signaled cautious support requiring intergovernmental coordination.