Tampa Stadium Authority Chair Chuck Davis said Wednesday
that local business told him the TSA "probably" won't be able to
raise half of the estimated $168M stadium cost through the sale
of PSLs, as they had hoped, report Joe Henderson and Kevin Walker
in the TAMPA TRIBUNE. A report from sports marketer Max
Muhleman, to be ready in about a month, will outline how much the
area can reasonably expect to raise through PSLs. Henderson and
Walker report the project could have "nearly $100M in unfunded
needs," with the "most talked-about" funding options being a
restaurant tax, an increase in the hotel tax, ticket surcharges
or a utility tax. Stadium backers have acknowledged taxpayer
support will be needed, but had hoped it would be $70M or less.
Hillsborough County Commissioners agreed Wednesday to give Bucs
Owner Malcolm Glazer a break on the rent if attendance falls
below 55,000 per game and offer him concession and parking
profits if attendance is above 55,000. That should allow Glazer
to wrap up his purchase of the team. NationsBank has delayed
closure on the deal pending those financial guarantees (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 6/22). Columnist Tom McEwen writes, "So the Buc ship is
better rigged and appears to be back on course" (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
6/22). Pat Yasinskas writes that the NFL, through the Raiders,
is sending a message to which Bucs supporters may want to pay
attention, "It's no longer difficult to relocate an existing
team" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/22).
