From Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski: Why the Stars Choose Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay’s not just for beachgoers and snowbirds anymore. Over the past 20 years, it’s become a top destination for professional athletes buying real estate. From waterfront mansions to private gated communities, stars from the NFL, MLB, and NHL are scooping up property all over the Tampa area.

Big names like Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, and Rob Gronkowski didn’t just play here. They moved here, bought homes here, and in doing so, helped push Tampa Bay into the national real estate spotlight.

Inside Tampa’s Athlete Real Estate Boom

When Tom Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he brought national attention to Tampa’s luxury housing market. He moved into Derek Jeter’s custom-built, 22,000-square-foot mansion on Davis Islands. The home later sold for close to $29 million, making it one of the most expensive residential sales in Tampa Bay history. (If you're wondering what a guy like Tom Brady would rent - or even mortgage - his home instead of buying it in cash, we answered it in this blog.)

Rob Gronkowski bought a home nearby. Steven Stamkos, captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy lives here too. Before them, baseball stars like Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford bought estates in Avila. NHL legends Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards also purchased luxury waterfront properties in Tampa.

Celebrities and Athletes Who Live or Have Lived in Tampa

Here’s a solid list of celebrities and athletes who have lived (or are living) in the Tampa Bay region of Florida (past or present, up to 2025), with noted connections and sources. It’s still not exhaustive, but broad and covers entertainment + sports.

Name	Profession	Tampa Bay Connection
John Cena	Wrestler / Actor	Lives in Land O’ Lakes (Tampa area).
Kenan Thompson	Actor / Comedian	Owns/has home in the Tampa area.
Sara Blakely	Entrepreneur (Spanx)	Bought land on Clearwater Beach / Tampa Bay to build a home.
Dave Bautista	Actor / Wrestler	Lives around the Tampa Bay region.
Tom Cruise	Actor	Owns a penthouse in Clearwater / Tampa Bay region.
Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea)	Wrestler / Entertainer	Grew up in South Tampa; longtime residence around the region.
Derek Jeter	MLB player	Owned a large home on Davis Islands in Tampa; claimed Florida residence.
Tino Martinez	MLB player	Born & raised in West Tampa; still resides in the area.
Sarah Paulson	Actor	Born in Tampa, lived in South Tampa until ~ age 5.
Channing Tatum	Actor	Attended high school in Tampa (Tampa Catholic).
Robin Zander	Musician (Cheap Trick)	Resident of Safety Harbor (Tampa Bay region).
Kirstie Alley	Actor	Listed among famous people living in the Tampa region.
Brian Johnson	Musician (AC/DC)	Listed among celebrities in the region.
Stephen King	Author	Listed in one list as living around the Tampa Bay area.

Why Pro Athletes Are Choosing to Live in Tampa

There’s more to this trend than sunshine and palm trees. Pro athletes are making strategic real estate moves, and it turns out Tampa Bay checks a lot of boxes:

• No state income tax in Florida means athletes keep more of their paychecks

• Waterfront living in Tampa Bay offers private docks, wide views, and more land for your money compared to places like Miami

• Luxury homes in South Tampa and Clearwater Beach are still more affordable than similar properties in LA or New York

• High-end gated communities in Tampa like Avila and Palma Ceia give athletes privacy and security

• Top-rated schools, low traffic compared to bigger cities, and easy airport access all add to the appeal

  
  

These same factors are also attracting families, first-time homebuyers, and remote workers looking for more space and better value.

Home Values in Tampa Bay Are Rising Fast

All that athlete money is helping drive demand, boost neighborhood status, and raise property values across the region. While Davis Islands and Avila see multimillion-dollar sales, nearby areas like South Tampa, Carrollwood, and Wesley Chapel are also heating up.

The median list price in Tampa as of September 2025 is around $540,000, but homes in popular zip codes are appreciating quickly. Properties in neighborhoods like Westchase, Seminole Heights, and Riverview have jumped by 15 to 20 percent in the last two years alone.

Source: Vreeland Real Estate

You don’t need to be a pro athlete to feel the effects. Higher comps mean higher home values, higher appraisals, and more equity. But they also mean higher prices tomorrow than today.

How to Compete in a Market Where Athletes Are Buying Homes

So, you probably don’t have a $50 million contract. But that doesn’t mean you can’t win in this market.

The key is speed.

In a fast-moving real estate market like Tampa Bay, pre-approval isn’t enough. You need to be fully pre-qualified with a lender that can move as fast as you do. That’s where 14 Days To Close comes in.

We help buyers across the country get fully pre-qualified online, often in minutes. No waiting on bankers. No faxing pay stubs. Just fast, secure answers so you can make real offers with real confidence.

Buying a home in Tampa Bay isn’t about watching from the sidelines. It’s about stepping into the game. When you’re up against cash offers, quick closings, and tight inventory, having a mortgage partner that works nights and weekends gives you a serious edge.

Where Athletes Live in Tampa Bay (And What It Means for Nearby Buyers)

Here’s where you’ll find the stars and how those areas influence the market:

• Davis Islands: Home to Derek Jeter’s former mansion and a favorite for Tampa Bay Buccaneers players. Close to downtown, the airport, and the water

• Avila: A gated community north of Tampa, known for its golf course and high-profile residents like Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford

• Bayshore Boulevard: High-end condos and waterfront mansions with some of the best views in the city

• Clearwater Beach: NHL players love this area for its mix of privacy and paradise. Homes with boat access move fast

• Palma Ceia and Hyde Park: Stylish, walkable, and full of character. Prices have jumped significantly in the last five years

Even if you’re not buying in those exact areas, their popularity raises demand nearby. That’s why homes in neighboring communities like West Tampa, Lutz, Brandon, and Odessa are seeing appreciation too.

Want to Buy in Tampa Bay? Get Ahead Before the Market Does

The pro athlete headlines are fun, but the real takeaway is this: Tampa Bay’s housing market is growing fast, and there’s still time to get in before prices climb even higher.

At 14 Days To Close, we help buyers lock in their mortgage fast, even if it’s your first time buying a home. You can get pre-qualified online in just a few minutes, or schedule a call with our team to go over your options.

We’re based in Tampa but serve clients nationwide. Nights, weekends, whatever works for you. When homes are selling this quickly, you need a mortgage partner that’s just as fast. Give us a call at (813) 343-4775.

If you were house-hunting in Tampa Bay, which “athlete move” would you pull? 💪🤑

• Go full Tom Brady and snag a waterfront mansion
• Channel Gronk and grab something big, fun, and close to the
• Keep it chill and live by the beach
• Stay practical and find a solid home before the athletes dri