Hillsborough County Commissioners voted 5-2 to proceed with
a referendum on a half-cent sales tax increase for 30 years that
would help fund a new Bucs stadium, reports Joe Henderson of the
TAMPA TRIBUNE. Team Owner Malcolm Glazer agreed Wednesday to
relinquish control of the stadium to the Tampa Sports Authority,
but to compensate for money Glazer would have made through
leasing booking fees to other clients, his payments toward the
cost of the stadium were reduced. The $5.95M annually Glazer
would have paid for 30 years was cut to $3.5M annually, but any
rent reductions if ticket sales fall below projections were
eliminated. In addition, Glazer gets the first $2M from parking
and concessions from other events at the stadium after which the
Bucs and the TSA split 50-50. Calling the deal, "a mutually
agreeable compromise," Glazer said, "the public made it clear
that community management of the stadium was very important to
them." The tax is expected to generate at least $2.7B, 11.7% of
which or $318M, is to go to the stadium. County Administrator
Dan Kleman said "there has been no decision" as to whether the
naming rights to Tampa Stadium, which was renamed Houlihan's
Stadium, will carry over to the new facility. The new plan
stills needs approval from city councils in Tampa, Plant City and
Temple Terrace, the Tampa Sports Authority and the Hillsborough
County School Board (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/11).
NOT OVER YET: Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood is "privately
expressing grave concern" that Orange County Chairman Linda
Chapin "is sniffing around the county budget in search of" $2-$3M
she can pledge towards Osceola's effort to build a new stadium
for the Bucs, according to Larry Guest of the ORLANDO SENTINEL,
(ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/11). Williams and Millican of the SENTINEL
write if Osceola signs a backup deal with the team, the
Hillsborough referendum's chances of passage could improve with
the impetus of keeping the team from moving (ORLANDO SENTINEL,
7/11).
