STATE OF THE STADIUM: THE BIG SOMBRERO

     The sale of the Buccaneers has raised questions on the
viability of Tampa Stadium.  This week the Tampa Sports
Authority, the council that owns and manages Tampa Stadium,
disclosed a $40M renovation plan in an effort to keep make the
team more attractive to local investors.  Officials have also
begun floating possible public funds for renovations.  Today, THE
SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY looks at Tampa Stadium.



  
 
    
STADIUM:
    
Tampa 
      Stadium, Tampa, Florida
  
  
 
    
AGE:
    
Built in 1967
  
  
 
    
CAPACITY:
    
74,301 – 8th highest 
      in the NFL.
  
  
 
    
OWNERSHIP:
    
Owned and managed by 
      the Tampa Sports Authority.
  
  
 
    
LUXURY 
      BOXES:
    
59 – owned and 
      operated by the team.
  
  
 
    
COST:
    
$4.1 million, paid 
      for by bonds in 1966
  
  
 
    
RENOVATION:
    
$10 million renovation 
      in '76, a $1.5M in '90.
  
  
 
    
CONCESSIONS:
    
Volume Service Catering 
      – 50% of sales goes the team during games, 27.5% for non-Buc events.
  
  
 
    
PARKING:
    
11,000 parking spots 
      – $5 a car. Team splits parking revenue with the Authority 50/50 for 
      Buc events. For non-Buc events, team get 27.5%.
  
  
 
    
ADVERTISING:
    
The team pays a $50,000 
      annual fee for advertising rights. They receive all advertising revenue.
  
  
 
    
RENT:
    
$930,000 – 19th 
      highest in the league. The team also pays a $300,000 annual skybox maintenance 
      fee to the Tampa Sports Authority.
  
  
 
    
LEASE:
    
Expires in the 2000.
  


(Source: Barbara Casey, Tampa Sports Authority; rent figure from
a Florida Times-Union article on July 24, 1994).