Hillsborough County Commissioner Withdraws Stadium Support, Accuses Rays of Misleading Officials

Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal yanked his backing for the Tampa Bay Rays ownership group. He accused the team of lying to officials and residents about a proposed $2.3 billion stadium project. Wostal posted his statement on social media Wednesday.

"At this point I have to rescind all of the positive things I've said about the new Rays ownership," Wostal wrote, according to WTSP. "They have outright lied not only to my face but also the public at multiple meetings. This is them now asking literally for your property taxes. May God have mercy on the soul of anyone that supports this."

Days before Wostal's post, the team released a draft memo outlining how they'd fund a new ballpark near Raymond James Stadium. The framework asks for $750 million from Hillsborough County and $250 million from Tampa.

Community Investment Tax funds would supply part of the money. County reserves might contribute up to $132 million. These reserves hold sales tax revenues, economic development funds, disaster reserves, and money set aside for a planned pet resource center project.

A spokesperson for Wostal said the commissioner had no comment past his social media post. The Tampa Bay Rays didn't respond when asked about his remarks.

Other leaders called for calmer discussions as talks continue. Commissioner Harry Cohen said all parties need to have the conversation in a polite spirit.

"There's a lot of very important discussions that have to go along with that, a lot of really important issues that need to be raised," Cohen said.

Tampa City Council member and mayoral candidate Lynn Hurtak thinks officials should view the current proposal as a starting point. She added that her job is to listen and see what can be done.

"I don't think anyone believed that that would be the final," Hurtak said.

City and county leaders will take a closer look at the proposal in upcoming meetings. Tampa City Council has a workshop scheduled for May 5. The county workshop is set for Thursday afternoon.

These discussions will focus on the money details and whether taxpayer funding for the project makes sense. Votes on the deal could come as soon as mid-May.