Joel and Bryan Glazer, sons of Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer,
said yesterday their family will listen to proposals that could
put the team in another city next year, and that they might not
give Tampa a chance to match any offer they receive, according to
the TAMPA TRIBUNE. The Bucs have extended their December 31
deadline to allow local officials to ask a "reluctant" FL
Legislature in March for new taxes for a new stadium. But that
could delay completion of a facility past '98 -- which the
Glazers say is too late. State Rep. Victor Crist, on Tampa's tax
request: "I haven't found a single person yet in the delegation
willing to support a tax or a fee to pay for a stadium." Tampa
Mayor Dick Greco called the move "inevitable." Greco: "We knew
if we asked for a delay, they'd have to do what they did." Bryan
Glazer said, while many cities would want an NFL team, they will
not publicly discuss possible locations (Joe Henderson, TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 11/22). The Tampa Stadium Task Force's final tally on
their ticket drive shows 32,557 Charter Seat Deposits sold,
including 4,556 club seats and 51 suites (Jeff Testerman, ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 11/22).
WILLING AND WAITING: In Orlando, Charen Williams reports
Orange County Chair Linda Chapin has "been cool" to an aggressive
campaign for the Bucs until she is sure the team has given up on
Tampa. Chapin also notes the city must first honor its
commitment to Norton Herrick, before building a new stadium for
the Bucs (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/22). But, Orlando Area Sports
Commission President Lee Chira says of the Glazers' statement:
"This is the signal we've been waiting for" (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
11/22).
