I am pleased to present the recommended Operating and Capital Budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Staff developed this budget in consultation with the Hillsborough County finance staff and the Authority’s Finance Committee. This budget reflects the emphasis on continued revenue growth, increasing local hotel room occupancy and continued long-term maintenance of the Complex. In this fiscal year, the SportsPlex hosted major events, such as the Flag Football World Championship, Tropical 7’s Rugby and co-promoted the hugely successful Monster Mash soccer tournament. These events contributed greatly to the SportsPlex generating over 88,000 room nights this year.
This budget identifies an operating deficit which was anticipated during the planning and development stages of the SportsPlex. The economic impact provided by the Complex’s events to the local tourism economy is much broader than the operational subsidy recognized at the Complex. The Authority will continue to optimize the economic value of the Complex through the continued enhancement of the facilities and strategic scheduling of events that produce the overall greatest economic impact to the community. The SportsPlex was developed with tourism as the primary scheduling driver. Management will continue to focus on maintaining premier playing surfaces and professionally maintained facilities. Our commitment to creating an ideal environment for sports tournaments continues to create greater demand for geographically far-reaching events, further increasing the impact of sports tourism in the region.
During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SportsPlex worked in conjunction with the Hillsborough County Public Safety Operations Command (PSOC) to provide parking, staging food service and emergency response. Following Hurricane Milton, the SportsPlex housed six different agencies from across the United States.
As initiatives within the Authority’s strategic plan, staff continue to place significant emphasis on customer service, revenue generation and venue capital improvements. This will continue to allow us to quickly adapt to the current challenges within the operating environment, similar to sports venues operated by the private sector. In working with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, we continue to identify additional sporting events to further increase tourism revenues in the coming year.
To plan, develop, promote and maintain a comprehensive complex of sports and recreation facilities for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of Tampa and Hillsborough County.
To stimulate economic vitality and improve the quality of life in Tampa Bay through compelling sports and entertainment offerings held at world-class venues.
VISION STATEMENT
Providing Sports and Entertainment to Tampa Bay.
THE AUTHORITY
The Tampa Sports Authority, a government entity, is an Independent Special District created by the Florida Legislature in 1965 to construct and manage sports and recreational facilities in Hillsborough County. The Authority’s role is to stimulate economic vitality and improve the quality of life in Tampa Bay through compelling sports and entertainment offerings held at world-class venues. The Authority has no taxing power, but rather acts as an enterprise fund utilizing user-fees to subsidize its operating costs.
As a result, all of its major capital construction projects from the original Tampa Stadium, golf courses, Amalie Arena, George Steinbrenner Field, Hillsborough County Tournament SportsPlex, and Raymond James Stadium have been accomplished by working closely with the approvals and financial support of Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa.
The Hillsborough County Tournament SportsPlex is a partnership between Hillsborough County, the Tampa Sports Authority, and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Hillsborough County constructed and owns the facility, which is managed by the Tampa Sports Authority and marketed by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Construction was funded by the County, with additional funding through the Tourist Development Tax and support from the Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council.
The Hillsborough County Tournament SportsPlex continues to attract events in the booming youth and amateur sports markets and top adult and senior athletic competitions, bringing over 90,000 visitors to the area annually. During the current Fiscal Year, the SportsPlex generated over 88,000 room nights, which far exceeds the original consultant estimates.
TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY: EXECUTIVE TEAM (BACK L-R) STEPHEN REED (VP OF SPORTSPLEX OPERATIONS), BOBBY SILVEST (VP OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS), DAVID MOSS (VP OF STADIUM OPERATIONS), (FRONT L-R) JIM GARRISON (VP OF GOLF OPERATIONS), ERIC HART (PRESIDENT/CEO), DAVID BYRNE (VP OF FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION), (NOT PICTURED) REBECCA SANTOS (EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO)
KRISTEN GRAY ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
PATRICK MANTEIGA
BOCC APPOINTEE
TERM EXPIRES: 6/2029
HONORABLE
KEN HAGAN
COUNTY COMISSIONER
TERM EXPIRES: 11/2025
TAMPA SPORTS
BOARD OF
JOHN JAEB
CITY APPOINTEE
TERM EXPIRES: 6/2025
BOCC APPOINTEE
TERM EXPIRES: 6/2027
ANDY JOE SCAGLIONE
SECRETARY/TREASURER
BOCC APPOINTEE
TERM EXPIRES: 6/2027
LUCIANO PRIDA, JR.
CITY APPOINTEE
TERM EXPIRES: 6/2025
TONY MUNIZ
STRATEGIC PLAN
As part of the Authority’s long range planning efforts, the strategic plan identifies strategic objectives that will drive planning for the Authority over our diverse inventory of current and possible future business lines. The initial objectives will be analyzed and possibly adjusted over the next year, based on input from the TSA Board and other stakeholders. This strategic plan is used as the main guiding document for the staff in managing the Authority’s business lines and help the Board and TSA leadership align behind long range strategic priorities.
Key Performance Indicators:
• Actionable strategic initiatives and key performance measures (KPIs)
• Staff uses a quarterly “scorecard” to summarize performance toward achieved KPIs for each business line.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Diversify into and capitalize on new and profitable revenue sources
• Adopt proactive facility master planning while rapidly exploiting new or emerging sports and entertainment opportunities
• Create positive customer experiences
• Protect public assets while safeguarding our customers and their personally identifiable information
• Develop and maintain a diverse, innovative and engaged workforce
• Reduce reliance on County and City subsidy
• Build community support for the Tampa Sports Authority
• Expand our adoption of environmentally sustainable practices
YEAR IN REVIEW
2024 MONSTER MASH
The 2024 Monster Mash is a co-promoted soccer tournament between the Tampa Sports Authority and The Florida Soccer School. Monster Mash was held October 25-27, 2024. In its 4th year, the Monster Mash hosted 220 teams from around the State of Florida. The attendance was approximately 6,000 people per day for the two day event.
2025 FLAG FOOTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
For the 4th straight year, the Flag Football World Championship was held at the SportsPlex on January 15-19, 2025. The tournament consists of 1,300 youth to adult teams from throughout the United States, Canada, and International, that participated on 52 fields that were created on our 15 fields. Approximately 12,000 people per day attended this event. Also this year, USA Flag was presented with a Guinness Book of World records designation.
2025 TROPICAL 7’S RUGBY
The SportsPlex once again hosted the Tropical 7’s Rugby Tournament over Easter weekend, April 18-19, 2025. The Tropical 7’s Rugby Tournament is an exciting annual rugby event that brings youth teams from around the world together for competition in Olympic-format rugby 7’s. Tropical 7’s hosted 200 teams and event attendance was estimated at 7,500 people per day.
2025 USYS NATIONAL PRESIDENTS CUP
The USYS National Presidents Cup is a soccer tournament that was held July 10-15, 2025. The USYS National Presidents Cup hosts 180 soccer teams from around the United States. The tournament is a showcase for the top U13-U19 teams, to compete for a chance to be crowned USYS National Champions. Attendance for the event was approximately 5,000 people per day.
SPORTSPLEX HOTEL IMPACT
CONTRIBUTION REQUESTS
FY 2026’s anticipated operating and maintenance expenses outlined in this document require the Authority to request a contribution of $643,498. This contribution is to fund operations, typically the Authority would also request capital fund, however no capital funding is required for FY 2026, due to savings on completed capital projects. The Authority has an existing Interlocal Agreement with the County which states the County shall be responsible for any operating shortfalls realized by the SportsPlex. The SportsPlex does have funds on account, which was funded by a $500,000 working capital advance as outlined in the interlocal. The operating subsidy for FY 2026 referenced above, has been reduced by the operating budget surplus of $17,693 realized in FY 2024. A surplus is also forecasted to be generated in FY 2025, which would be applied to reduce the FY 2027 requested operating contribution.
REVENUES WERE DEVELOPED FROM THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS:
1) Total Operating Revenues for FY 2026 are budgeted at $1,447,825. This is $245,149 stronger than FY 2025 Budget. This increase is primarily due to the addition of a new pre-paid parking program, the addition of two unbudgeted soccer events and higher than expected concessions and vendor revenue. Additionally, direct expenses passed along to the events (realized as revenues) are higher related to the staffing for the pre-paid parking program, along with additional event requested security.
2) For FY 2026 we are looking to continue our existing relationships with all of our current sponsors, we are actively seeking to add new sponsorship partners.
3) Concession Revenues for FY 2026 are budgeted at $310,500. This is $55,750 stronger than the FY 2025 budget. This is in part due to the strategic addition of two new food trucks and stronger than expected sales that we anticipate trending into 2026.
4) The prior year budget surplus from FY 2024 of $17,693 is applied to lower the FY 2026 operating subsidy in accordance with the Interlocal agreement between TSA and Hillsborough County. The FY 2025 surplus, currently forecasted to be $98,133, which when finalized will be applied to offset the FY 2027 Operating Subsidy.
CONTRIBUTION REQUESTS
EXPENSES WERE DEVELOPED FROM THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS:
1) Total Expenses for FY 2026 are forecasted at $2,109,106, this is $291,012 more than FY 2025 Budget. The main increases were related to the events including adding two events as well as the need to add increased security and buses for some of our larger events. Additionally, the expense increase includes field maintenance for fertilizer, sprigs, top dressing and sod to promote the playing conditions of our fields.
2) Electricity and water expenses for FY 2026 are greater than FY 2025 budget as we have seen an increase in our electricity (storm charges) and increased water usage to support the fertilization and field maintenance plan.
3) 1.55% COLA and 0-2% merit increase for eligible full time employees, as well as a 7.69% increase in Florida minimum wage is included for part-time personal
4) The Department will continue to share in expense allocations for administrative costs centered at Raymond James Stadium (“RJS”) but allocated to all TSA entities. They will also utilize RJS HVAC and mechanic technicians and will share in the expense allocations for those positions.
5) Health insurance was increased 5% as the County plan anticipates an increase in premiums.
6) No meaningful change in overall (non-health) insurance costs, as insurance costs for the facilities were inline with prior the prior budget.
BUDGET NOTES
1) Accrual Accounting: The Authority’s SportsPlex budget is presented on an accrual basis. Monthly financial statements along with budget documents are presented on a full accrual basis of accounting.
2) Total Hillsborough Contribution: Contribution amount is a sum of present year operational profits/ (losses) and capital investments funded from the County through the Authority.
3) “Due To” Amounts: No “Due To” amounts are present between the SportsPlex, Golf Courses and Raymond James Stadium. “Due To’s” between these entities are present throughout the year but are reconciled quarterly and zero balanced at fiscal year-end.
4) Depreciation: Depreciation will be included in the Authority’s audited financial statements. Depreciation is not included in any financial requests from the Authority to the City of Tampa since it is a non-cash occurrence within the financial statements. Depreciation will not be included in the monthly financial statement for ease of analysis and comparison but will be included in the year end audited financial statements.
5) Salaries: Wages include full-time, part-time, over-time estimates, and corresponding benefits such as social security, retirement and health insurance.
6) Capital Costs: Reimbursement for proposed capital costs is either directly funded or provided by Hillsborough County net of any operating surplus.
7) Income Tax: The Authority is a governmental agency and therefore exempt from Federal and State income taxes under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Florida Income Tax Code, respectively. There are no provisions for income taxes in the budget.
SPORTSPLEX OPERATIONS REVENUE & EXPENSES
*$27,377 equals FY2023 budget surplus, $17,377 equals FY2024 budget surplus, and $98,133 represents the forecasted FY2025 budget surplus.
FY 2025 CAPITAL PROJECTS
PAVING OF OVERFLOW PARKING LOT
The overflow parking area across Columbus Boulevard is a necessity for parking during our large events and is scheduled for completion by October 2025. We will have the drive lanes asphalted to allow for better access into and throughout the parking area. This improvement will also ensure that this area is functional even during inclement weather. The Hillsborough County Emergency Management Department will also utilize this area in the event of natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
SOCCER GOALS
Due to the increased number of soccer tournaments utilizing short sided fields (two smaller fields on one large field), it became a necessity to purchase additional goals to accommodate the requests. We had 15 sets of soccer goals and added an additional 18 sets of goals. This will ensure we can accommodate these events and have an adequate backup supply.
FY 2026 CAPITAL PROJECTS
UTILITY CART
This cart is designed with the toughest work challenges in mind, from the front bumper to the rear bumper and everything in between.
FRAISE MOWER
Fraise mowers are used to fraise mow, flail mow, level, de-thatch, and renovate turf areas, as well as harvest sprigs. These products are ideal for use in leveling the SportsPlex playing surfaces.
HURRICANE ASSISTANCE
In preparation for and following a Tropical Storm/Hurricane, the SportsPlex works in conjunction with the Hillsborough County Public Safety Operations Command (PSOC) to provide additional space for parking, staging, food service and emergency response.
Following Hurricane Milton, the SportsPlex was utilized by various law enforcement agencies to assist with emergency response and rescue. The SportsPlex housed six agencies from throughout the United States.
The agencies remained on property for seven days assisting the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, while PSOC remained on property ten days.
