The Tampa area's three top sports owners yesterday said that one of their biggest collective challenges is "finding ways to keep fans coming to games as technology makes other options more attractive," according to Greg Auman of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg, Buccaneers co-Chair Bryan Glazer and Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik spoke on "The Business of Professional Sports" yesterday at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Glazer said, "It's very comfortable to be home on your couch, high-definition television, the refrigerator's a couple feet away, the bathroom's a couple feet away. We want to make sure the in-game experience is better than that. There's nothing like watching a professional sporting event in person." Auman notes all three owners "addressed a wide range of topics, including the globalization of their sports." Auman notes building a fan base is "ultimately a local effort, and all three teams say they work to make a trip to the ball game a more personal experience." Sternberg said that the Rays' annual attendance of 1.5 million is "still reaching a lot of people in the Tampa Bay area" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/1).
