The Bucs say a Hillsborough County "ultimatum" issued last
week concerning control of a proposed new stadium "is very
disheartening," according to the TAMPA TRIBUNE. However, in a
letter to County Commission Chair Jim Norman, Bucs GM Rich McKay
appeared to "leave the door cracked for a compromise" by saying
they "will consider" the Commission's demand that the stadium be
managed by the Tampa Sports Authority, or else a September vote
on a half-cent sales tax be scrapped. County Commissioner Joe
Chillura: "It's a positive sign the Bucs have realized there is
give and take in every situation." Chillura will recommend going
forward with the referendum, even if no agreement is reached on
management control with the Bucs. Chillura said the tax could be
collected and money saved to attract a new franchise (Henderson &
Walker, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/26).
OLIVER STONE, CALL YOUR OFFICE: The TAMPA BAY BUSINESS
JOURNAL's "Bridging the Bay" column theorizes that Bucs Owner
Malcolm Glazer purposely announced the Houlihan's naming rights
deal in order to upset voters so they would reject the tax
increase -- thus enabling him to move without fear of NFL
sanctions (TAMPA BUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/24).
