Sports Archives - Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

Rays release first renderings of proposed Dale Mabry ballpark Exterior rendering of the proposed Tampa Bay Rays ballpark at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus in Tampa.

Exterior rendering of the proposed Tampa Bay Rays ballpark at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus in Tampa.

Rays release first renderings of proposed Dale Mabry ballpark

Chuck Merlis February 5, 2026

New renderings preview the Dale Mabry plan as negotiations and community sessions begin.

County sets conditions as Rays stadium talks advance Hillsborough County commissioners meet at the dais during a public session discussing next steps in Rays stadium negotiations.

Hillsborough County commissioners meet at the dais during a public session discussing next steps in Rays stadium negotiations.

County sets conditions as Rays stadium talks advance

Chuck Merlis February 4, 2026

A 7-0 vote keeps talks alive as commissioners spell out funding limits and next steps.

DeSantis backs Dale Mabry campus for Rays stadium Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Hillsborough College about a proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Hillsborough College about a proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

DeSantis backs Dale Mabry campus for Rays stadium

Chuck Merlis February 3, 2026

Florida signals support for the Dale Mabry campus as formal Rays stadium talks begin.

Rays indicate plan to fund at least 50% of ballpark costs Aerial view of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus near Raymond James Stadium in Tampa

Aerial view of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus near Raymond James Stadium in Tampa

Rays indicate plan to fund at least 50% of ballpark costs

Chuck Merlis February 2, 2026

The Rays signal a 50% private funding target as Hillsborough reviews an early ballpark framework.

NYCFC names Visit Tampa Bay as official tourism partner New York City FC players train during preseason practice in Tampa as part of a new tourism partnership with Visit Tampa Bay.

New York City FC players train during preseason practice in Tampa as part of a new tourism partnership with Visit Tampa Bay.

NYCFC names Visit Tampa Bay as official tourism partner

Chuck Merlis January 22, 2026

NYCFC names Visit Tampa Bay a tourism partner as preseason training begins in Florida.

Hillsborough College board unanimously backs Rays talks Conceptual rendering of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus showing a proposed mixed-use development as stadium negotiations begin

Conceptual rendering of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus showing a proposed mixed-use development as stadium negotiations begin

Hillsborough College board unanimously backs Rays talks

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Hillsborough College trustees voted unanimously to begin formal Rays stadium negotiations.

Hillsborough County to vote on $358.5M Lightning arena renovation Aerial view of Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa ahead of a Hillsborough County vote on expanded public funding for renovations.

Aerial view of Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa ahead of a Hillsborough County vote on expanded public funding for renovations.

Hillsborough County to vote on $358.5M Lightning arena renovation

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Commissioners vote Jan. 21 on raising the arena renovation cap to $358.5M.

Gasparilla: How Tampa invented its defining tradition Historic illustration of the Gasparilla invasion ship sailing through downtown Tampa as crowds line the riverbanks and bridges.

Historic illustration of the Gasparilla invasion ship sailing through downtown Tampa as crowds line the riverbanks and bridges.

Gasparilla: How Tampa invented its defining tradition

Chuck Merlis January 19, 2026

How Gasparilla evolved from a staged pirate invasion into one of Tampa’s most durable civic traditions.

Valspar Championship pumps $75M into Tampa Bay Golfer tees off at the Valspar Championship with spectators lined behind the fairway signage in Tampa Bay.

Golfer tees off at the Valspar Championship with spectators lined behind the fairway signage in Tampa Bay.

Valspar Championship pumps $75M into Tampa Bay

Chuck Merlis January 16, 2026

The Valspar Championship generates $75M a year in economic impact across Tampa Bay.

Rays stadium future heads to a vote Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa ahead of a board vote on a nonbinding memorandum tied to a proposed Rays stadium development.