Hillsborough County says the June 1 deadline the Rays set for a stadium deal is unlikely to be met, according to a memorandum.
Why it matters: The Rays are working against a tight window to build a new ballpark by Opening Day 2029. Missing the deadline, the team has warned, could put state funding at risk and force them to look elsewhere.
- It wouldn’t be the first time the Rays have pulled the plug on a stadium deal over delays. Just last year, they abandoned plans for a $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg after a blown deadline.
Driving the news: On Thursday, the county attorney’s office sent the Rays feedback on their draft agreement, pointing out several issues. The deadline topped the list.
…
- The county wrote that a deadline can’t be “reasonably considered” until both sides agree on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and even…