The Bucs and Owner Malcolm Glazer are scheduled to release
details this afternoon of a seat deposit plan "that could raise"
$30M toward construction of new stadium, according to today's ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES. The seat deposits would be a "long-term loan"
from season ticket holders to Glazer and the team, with 5% being
refunded to buyers annually for nine years and the remainder
refunded in the 10th year. Fans are also expected to learn this
afternoon what they will pay for club seats and luxury suites in
the proposed stadium (Jeff Testerman, ST. PETE TIMES, 9/27). In
Tampa, Joe Henderson writes, "Stadium funding plans have been as
plentiful among public and civic leaders as sunburn cases at
Tampa Bay Buccaneer games." Henderson notes Hillsborough County
Commissioner Chris Hart plans to "convene a committee within two
weeks to study ways to reduce the stadium cost and increase
funding options." Commissioner Joe Chillura still believes a
sports lottery to pay for stadiums "is viable" (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
9/27).
HIGH-POWERED LUNCH: The GMs of Tampa Bay's three pro teams
attended the Tampa/Hillsborough Convention and Visitors Assn
annual meeting. Each spoke about the importance of their
respective franchises, but all agreed that a new Bucs stadium "is
a necessity." Lightning GM Phil Esposito: "It should be done if
we're going to grow in this market" (Nick Pugliese, TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 9/27).
