Senator Rick Scott pressed forward with efforts to halt former Kanye West from staging shows in Tampa. He appeared at the Florida Holocaust Museum on Monday to voice multiple concerns.

Why on Earth would we use tax dollars to fund someone who has called himself a Nazi and praised Adolf Hitler? he asked during a news conference. There are countries all over the world that have banned him, and we are going to allow him to come to our state and our city?

Fellow Florida politicians, Jewish leaders, and local Holocaust survivors echoed his remarks in speeches that drew national notice.

They questioned the decision by the Tampa Sports Authority, the public body overseeing Raymond James Stadium, to sign contracts for two separate performances. They also sought details on funding sources and demanded clear responses.

Despite growing pressure, the Sports Authority indicated it has no plans to cancel Ye concerts set for June 26 and 28.

Antisemitism condemned, free speech affirmed

We condemn antisemitism from any source. However, we also respect free speech rights guaranteed under the US Constitution, even when we disagree with that speech, the Authority stated on Monday. In addition, no taxpayer money is being used for staging the Ye concerts.

Are Hillsborough taxpayers covering costs? Might political pressure prompt cancellation? To examine these issues, the Tampa Bay Times secured a copy of the concert contract. The findings follow.

Scott launched his campaign against the shows on June 4 by sending a public letter to the Tampa Sports Authority. He noted it was troubling for Florida, home to a sizable Jewish population, to host an artist who had sold swastika merchandise. Although Ye had apologized earlier this year for antisemitic comments and conduct, Scott also objected to any use of public funds for the events.

The Raymond James Stadium is a publicly owned venue made to be safe and serve the interests of Hillsborough County and Tampa residents, he wrote. No taxpayer dollars should be used to give a vocal antisemite a stage in Florida, and I am sure that you will take appropriate action to make sure that does not happen.

Sports Authority spokesperson Bobby Silvest stated in an email that all expenses will be paid by the event promoter, Ikon Global, LLC, rather than the Authority itself.

To suggest otherwise is false, read an agency statement issued on Monday.

The contract for the two performances specifies the promoter obligations: a one-dollar license fee plus a 1.5 million dollar payment to cover Authority costs such as security, law enforcement, cleaning, and related services.

For each ticket sold, the promoter must also collect and remit a five-dollar facility fee along with a ticket surcharge of no more than 2.50 dollars. Ikon Global will further reimburse the Authority for additional ancillary expenses. After all fees are settled, the promoter retains the remaining net ticket revenue.

Silvest noted in an email that the Authority retains or controls all ticket sales, parking, merchandise, food and beverage revenue until final payments are completed after the events. In simple terms, he said, TSA is always in control of the money.

The Authority anticipates a profit of roughly one million dollars per show, Silvest said.

It remains unclear how much revenue Ye may earn. A ticket manifest obtained by the Times indicates that, with capacity exceeding 72,200 seats at an average price above 200 dollars each, potential gross could surpass 14.8 million dollars per performance.

Anthony Palermo, an assistant professor of law at Stetson University College of Law, observed in an interview that the contract is structured and designed to make the event revenue-positive for the TSA.

He added that any public facility requires funds for its general upkeep, and the contract does not prove that public resources will not be used or advanced before the event. Still, he noted, multiple avenues exist to recover any outlays.

First Amendment protections, legal challenges, hate speech

Palermo observed that the contract also raises issues regarding First Amendment protections and possible legal challenges the Authority might encounter if it cancels the performances.

A clause provides that the Authority cannot cancel or interfere with the events based upon artist identity, prior or past public statements, public perception, political viewpoints, or the anticipated or actual content of the performance, provided Ye concert complies with all laws and venue regulations.

Silvest said the provision is not standard and was requested by promoter Ikon Global.

The Sports Authority general counsel, Jeffrey W. Gibson, addressed the First Amendment matter in a memo to CEO Eric Hart this week. The stadium, he wrote, should not discriminate against speech based on viewpoint. He referenced a 2017 US Supreme Court case that protected the freedom to express hated thoughts.

Raymond James Stadium has a record of hosting free expression, and the county and Authority cannot now favor one perspective over another, Gibson wrote. Choosing to restrict speech due to disagreement with a speaker viewpoint would, he stated, violate the First Amendment.

Palermo agreed, noting that cancellation could trigger both First Amendment and breach of contract claims.

Several elected leaders have nonetheless urged closer review given the stadium status as a public facility.

Sen. Ashley Moody said the Sports Authority hid behind free speech and contractual obligations. Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Boles said he supports free speech and Constitutional principles, yet added, Free speech does not entitle anyone to a public stage backed by public resources.

Scott, who initiated the campaign, remarked, If you have a public venue, you do not get to go say, Oh, I have got to let all of everybody there. You do not.