With news of the Tampa Bay Rays’ plans for a new $450 million bayfront ballpark that relies in part on a $60 million state sales tax rebate and already has garnered the support of Gov. Charlie Crist, one has to wonder if there will be another push for state money for the Marlins.

It’s too soon to say and, despite Crist's support which also extends to a rebate for the Marlins, it’s pretty clear opponents are already lining up against the idea of putting tax money toward sports venues, particularly in a tight budget year and with such a difficult housing market. This story frames the arguments against such a proposal, but also incorrectly states the Marlins are seeking a rebate, too.

The current negotiations (officials still hope to have a deal in December) to finance a ballpark for the Marlins at the site of the Orange Bowl do not rely on state dollars. After all, the team and/or the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County have failed six times in eight years to gain state money. Among the arguments against helping the Marlins is that former Marlins and current Dolphin Stadium owner H. Wayne Huizenga already received a $60 million rebate to retrofit the stadium for baseball. The law that has provided rebates to eight professional franchises, states the rebate stays with the building and doesn’t move with the team, but lawmakers have been reluctant to grant a second rebate for the Marlins, even for a new building.

So, granting a second rebate to the Rays would open the door for a second rebate for the Marlins and the six other teams that have already received one rebate, and a first one for the Dolphins, who were turned down in their original request for the money. Don’t count on the Legislature looking too kindly at the idea in this economy, especially one that could end up costing $540 million.

In the meantime, some are already concerned the Rays might get a new ballpark before the Marlins. There are still a lot of hurdles facing the Rays' plan, which is expected to be officially unveiled by the team next week. The plan calls for a ballpark to be built at the site of the Al Lang Field spring training complex, with $150 million from the team, $60 million from the state and the proceeds from the sale of Tropicana Field, where the team has a lease for another 20 years. It also requires voter approval for the use of waterfront property long-term and could need voters to approve the selling of Al Lang Field to Pinellas County to make it tax exempt.

Without renderings, the St. Petersburg Times relied on the descriptions of those who’d seen the plans to come up with the rendering shown here.