Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet have approved transferring 22 acres of state land in Tampa to Hillsborough College for a proposed new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays. The land, located next to the New York Yankees' spring training facility, was previously state-owned property.

The Rays ownership entered a memorandum of understanding last month to build the stadium and mixed-use entertainment district on the college campus while renovating existing college buildings. The state retains the right to reclaim the land if stadium components aren't completed within five years of the transfer. Rays CEO Ken Babby called this "a big moment for Tampa Bay" as the team aims to serve the region for generations.

The Rays have committed to paying at least 50% of the new ballpark's cost, with the remainder expected from Tampa and Hillsborough County. While DeSantis confirmed the state won't contribute direct funding, he and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently held a news conference supporting the stadium effort. The team hopes to complete construction within three years, marking a significant shift from their current home at Tropicana Field, where they've played since 1998.