TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Commissioners this week heard proposals for two new sports facilities, projects that could expand sports tourism in the Bay area.

Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins and Tampa Sports Authority Director Eric Hart presented plans for a new indoor field house facility and an outdoor tournament complex for baseball and softball.

What You Need To Know

  • Hillsborough County Commissioners researching new facilities to expand sports tourism in Tampa

  • One proposal detailed plans for an indoor field house facility

  • A second report outlined plans for an outdoor tournament complex for baseball and softball

  • Commissioners will now review the proposals to see if there is any interest

The facilities would create new jobs for the local economy, and boost sports tourism, something Pasco County has expanded in recent years, and something Hillsborough County Commissioners are now interested in.

“Sports tourism continues to be a great driver for our local economy”, said Higgins. "I think as you saw with the recession back in 2009, sports tourism numbers just continued to climb, or whether it was during the pandemic, sports tourism continued to be a huge driver for our local economy.  

"So whether times are thick or thin, sports tourism continues to thrive.”

The reports were requested by Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan.

Commissioners will now review the reports and decide if there is any interested in one or both of the projects.