The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled a concept video of their new home — and ruffled a few feathers in the process.
A presentation on Tuesday night suggested the mixed-use district would generate new tax revenues of $2.32 billion for the state and $3.3 billion for Tampa over the next three decades.
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The Rays have huge plans for their 22-acre plot
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Residents will be treated to a host of amenities
With the franchise looking for around $1 billion in public funds, that sounds like a home run.
But details on the finances were a little light on the ground and the decision to use AI to produce the video caused a stir.
The Rays have decided to leave Tropicana Field behind and move to Tampa Bay with a site secured at Hillsborough College.
Their presentation video promised a village packed with restaurants, shops, hotels and happy families.
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“The bottom line is this could be a transformational project,” wrote Tampa Bay Times columnist John Romano. “It could ensure Major League Baseball remains in the community for decades to come.
“It could provide a valuable destination point in mid-Tampa Bay. It could increase the market’s visibility, and it may even attract a greater corporate base to the bay area.
“But it’s wrong to suggest this is a risk-free venture. And it would be helpful if the colorful photos were accompanied by real numbers.
“I understand that big projects do not get green-lit by obsessing over the price rather than the benefits. But if you truly believe this is a partnership between the franchise and the community, then providing more economic clarity to your partners seems like a pretty basic idea.”
Rays supporters slam AI ballpark reveal
Some fans were thrilled with the concept, but they were outnumbered by negative replies — admittedly not a surprise on social media.
“AI has completely revolutionized the renderings of stadiums that will never be built industry,” quipped one on X. “The sky is the limit now for what you can mock up and not actually do. If you can dream it, you can now visualize it and never bring it to life.”
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The stadium will be surrounded by high-end retail space
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The design would bring money into the area
“This is incredibly vague still, to me, even the graphics about how this will be developed, they seem like grandiose promises with 0 indication of concrete negotiations being done,” added another.
“Looks awful! Stop using AI. Makes your brand look cheap and un-creative,” a third posted.
A fourth asked: “Is there a baseball stadium at this overpriced outlet mall?”
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet have granted 22 acres of non-conservation land to the Rays’ project.
The ballpark is expected to seat approximately 31,000 fans.
“In its current state ownership, what’s today largely just a bunch of parking lots will be completely renovated to a live, work, entertain district that is going to have significant economic benefit to the state,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said on February 24, per the Tampa Bay Times.
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The stadium itself is a bold wedge design
The state could reclaim the land if ‘components’ of the stadium or its surrounding construction do not exist within five years of the transfer, but the plan is for construction to be completed in time for the 2029 season.
“At the press conference, I was asked: ‘How much is this land worth?’ Honestly, I don’t know that it’s worth very much outside of this proposal,” DeSantis said.
“Because a home builder would not put a subdivision there, no way.
“People would do commercial buildings right there now. In order to make this something that’s special, it really has to be something unique like this.”
The MLB franchise have suggested paying around 50 percent of the stadium cost, while the rest will need to come from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.
“The support by Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet today underlines our belief in the power of this generational project, and the many lasting benefits it will deliver,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said.
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“Our momentum is real and growing, thanks to the remarkable spirit of community and statewide partnership that our ownership group has been privileged to experience from the start.”
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