The Bucs have "reopened the door" to staying in Tampa by
returning to the table with city and Hillsborough County
officials, according to the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Charean Williams
reports Bucs officials and local officials resumed "secret" talks
at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL, "just hours after" the
conclusion of the NFL meetings on Wednesday night and again in an
all-day session Thursday. The league, hoping to avoid another
franchise relocation, had "pushed" the Bucs to restart talks.
Bucs GM Rich McKay: "Fans are probably tired of hearing it, but
it is reality in this case, we made a lot of progress. The NFL
did a nice job of putting the two parties together."
Hillsborough County Administrator Dan Kleman: "We hope we'll be
able to wrap up all the issues by the beginning of next week.
We're very pleased with all the work that's been done. We made
very, very significant progress" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/15). The
TAMPA TRIBUNE's Henderson, Pugliese & Yasinskas report that NFL
President Neil Austrian and VP Roger Goodell "shuttled" between
adjoining suites, meeting alternatively with Tampa officials and
Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer, taking suggestions "back and forth."
Officials are hopeful for a final meeting on Monday (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 3/15).
