The Buccaneers have "proposed a deal" to pay as much as $75M toward a $100M makeover of Raymond James Stadium, but Hillsborough County and Tampa Sports Authority officials are "balking at some of the stipulations," according to a front-page piece by Stroud & Contorno of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The Bucs "seek the right to play an additional 'home' game in another city, which has become a major sticking point, because county officials fear it could be used as leverage in future stadium negotiations." Some of the improvements are "required as part of the agreement" to host the CFP Championship in January '17. The team, county and TSA "have been working toward a deal since January." Some of the enhancements "would include massive high definition scoreboards, a new surround sound system, video board control room and other items." A major renovation "could greatly aid" Tampa's bid for the '19 or '20 Super Bowl. The current lease with the Bucs "requires the TSA to spend" about $26M for "capital repairs and updates to the stadium" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/1).
WHAT WENT WRONG: In another front-page piece for the TIMES, Steve Contorno notes the deal "seemed like a lock in early September," but talks "took an unexpected turn" with the team's stipulation of the second home game. In exchange for another home game away from Tampa, the Bucs "would forgive" an $11.6M obligation the TSA has to "construct a practice facility for the team." The TSA countered the Bucs' offer, saying that they "could play a second game outside of Tampa," but both games "could not be in the same city." The "concern was the Buccaneers would play two games" in London, where the team could "build a fan base for a potential move, or use that as leverage in future contract negotiations." The TSA also "wanted a second home game away from the bay area to be contingent on Raymond James hosting a 'friendly' game" involving EPL club Manchester United, or a Super Bowl. The Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, "has a controlling interest in the publicly owned soccer team." The terms "were rejected, in part" because Bucs COO Brian Ford said that he "didn't have the ability to negotiate for Manchester United." The TSA also "wanted the Bucs' share of profits from other events at Raymond James Stadium reduced" from $2M annually to $1M. Hillsborough County Commissioner and TSA board member Ken Hagan said, "Unfortunately we're at an impasse due to their last-minute revisions to an agreement that was finished in principle. This is just another example of how difficult it is to negotiate with the Buccaneers." TSA President & CEO Eric Hart said that he is "optimistic negotiations will proceed positively." Ford in a statement said an agreement with the TSA would be announced "in the very near future" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/2).
NO SIR, I DON'T LIKE IT: In Tampa, Tom Jones writes the Bucs wanting an additional home game away from their stadium is the "latest example of an arrogant NFL team thinking the public is made up of rubes who should blindly follow every decision it makes and be thankful for it." Whenever a team "wants to play games outside of its home market, it is never a good thing" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/2).
