TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County is stepping up to the plate again to take another swing at landing a new stadium deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan said he expects an announcement on the sale of the team in the coming weeks.
“We feel the announcement should be made within the next month,” Hagan said. “Mr. Zalupski and his team have made it very clear to me that they want to hit the ground running.”
Patrick Zalupski is a Jacksonville-based home builder who has expressed interest in purchasing the Rays from their current owners.
Hagan said Zalupski is already looking at two locations for a potential new stadium to be located in Hillsborough County.
One location is just south of State Road 60, near Ybor City. Another location is near Hillsborough Community College and Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. Hagan said both locations have advantages.
He said the Ybor location would provide an urban environment, while the Dale Mabry location has proven it can handle the traffic.
“There are clear advantages, proximity to the airport of course, access on Dale Mabry,” Hagan said. “We have a proven traffic model with Raymond James Stadium and Steinbrenner field.”
He said the new ownership group has expressed interest in having a location that has enough land to support development nearby.
“That’s one thing that the new ownership group is stressing: that in order for them to make their financial model work, they’re going to have a need for enough acreage in order to develop beyond just the ballpark itself,” Hagan said.
No moves can be made until Major League Baseball approves the sale of the team.