A new ad campaign in the Tampa Bay area backed by the Koch brothers "sets its sights" on the Rays' ballpark effort, according to Emily Mahoney of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The campaign is from Americans for Prosperity, the activist arm funded by Charles and David Koch, which "aims to draw a line in the sand as discussions continue between local government officials and the Rays to ensure no taxpayer money is used to woo the team from one side of the bay to the other." It has "launched similar advocacy campaigns in other cities when sports teams seek public funds for new stadiums." A video from the group says, "When it comes to the big game of corporate welfare, the taxpayers are always the losers." While the spot "remains fairly generic -- it cites pricey baseball stadiums around the country," including the Marlins. The digital ad is "only the start of the campaign" as the group is "prepared to use its ample funding to launch phone banks and radio ads and to send out mailers to further encourage Tampa Bay residents to pressure their politicians" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/22)
