Senator Rick Scott pressed forward with efforts to halt former Kanye West performances in Tampa by visiting 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?

Scott's views found support in remarks from other Florida officials, Jewish community figures, and several local Holocaust survivors, which drew widespread notice.

They questioned why the Tampa Sports Authority, the public body overseeing Raymond James Stadium, had signed on for two separate shows. They probed the source of funding and sought clear responses.

Yet the Sports Authority indicated it plans to move ahead with Ye performances scheduled for June 26 and 28.

Condemnation of Antisemitism Alongside Support for Free Speech

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 influence lead to cancellation? The Tampa Bay Times reviewed the concert contract to clarify these points.

Scott launched his push against the events on June 4 via 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 items. Although Ye had apologized earlier this year for antisemitic statements and conduct, Scott also objected to any public funds supporting the shows.

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 would be handled by promoter Ikon Global, LLC, rather than the Authority itself.

To suggest otherwise is false, the agency said in its Monday statement.

The agreement for the pair of shows specifies the promoter's payments: a one-dollar license fee plus a 1.5 million dollar sum to offset Authority costs such as security, law enforcement, cleaning, and related services.

For each ticket sold, the promoter must also remit a five-dollar facility fee and a ticket surcharge of up to 2.50 dollars. Ikon Global will cover additional ancillary expenses. Once all such payments are complete, the promoter retains the remaining net ticket revenue.

Silvest noted in an email that the Authority holds or manages all ticket sales, parking, merchandise, food and beverage revenue until final settlements 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 added.

It remains unclear how much Ye stands to earn. A ticket manifest reviewed by the Times indicates capacity exceeding 72,200 seats at an average price above 200 dollars each, suggesting potential revenue over 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 noted 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 said, multiple paths exist to recover any outlays.

First Amendment Protections, Possible Legal Issues, and Hate Speech Concerns

Palermo explained that the contract also prompts discussion of First Amendment safeguards and possible legal hurdles the Authority might encounter if it cancels the shows.

A clause specifies 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's concert complies with laws and venue rules.

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

The Sports Authority's 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 upheld the freedom to express hated thoughts.

Raymond James Stadium has a record of accommodating free expression, and the county and Authority cannot now prefer one perspective over another, Gibson wrote. Choosing to limit speech due to disagreement with a speaker's viewpoint would, he stated, breach the First Amendment.

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

Yet multiple elected leaders have urged closer examination given the stadium's role as a public venue.

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, but added, Free speech does not entitle anyone to a public stage backed by public resources.

Scott, who initiated the effort, said, 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.