We've learned where the Tampa Bay Rays plan to get the $1.2 billion in taxpayer money to build it a new stadium. A key source would be a county sales tax that voters already approved *with the explicit understanding that it would not be used for a stadium.*
Several commissioners seem to have enough of a moral compass to reject this idea; but, of course, Ken Hagan remains a shameless stooge for the team. His retort to this ethical dilemma: BUT BASEBALL!
His crony on the commission Harry Cohen defended the plan with a factually incorrect retort. Paying for the stadium now would prevent having to pay an expansion fee letter. Guess what: OWNERS PAY THE EXPANSION FEE, NOT THE HOST CITY. (A clarification not included in the story.)
Not to be outdone sucking up to the local deity of SPORTZ!, Commissioner Gwen Myers simply asserted that professional sports have large economic impacts, something that 50 years of evidence has demonstrated to be false. This is like saying cigarettes are health food.
Oh, and that's not all for the taxes. In addition to raiding revenue from a source that commissioners promised would not be used for a stadium (reminder: informal assurances are not legally binding) the team proposes a new hotel tax and a stadium district tax.
Feb 5, 2026 13:29
