Bucs, Sports Authority At Odds Over Stadium Insurance
 | | Bucs Holding Out For Better Deal | The Buccaneers are "holding up the transfer of ownership of Raymond James Stadium [from the Tampa Sports Authority to Hillsborough County] in an effort to cut a better deal on its insurance and security costs," according to Ted Byrd of the TAMPA TRIBUNE, who noted that the delay is "costing the county about $4,400 a day." Commissioner Ronda Storms said, "Most people try to mask greed and avarice. It's appalling and embarrassing." Commissioners agreed in March to take ownership of stadium, a "move that would save the county about $1.6M in annual property taxes." The Bucs want TSA to "pick up the cost of terrorism and hurricane insurance for the full value of the stadium — a property last assessed at about $172[M] — and pay for extra security at about $8,000 a game." The TSA "contends it is living up to" the terms of its '96 lease with the team. The TSA's property insurance "no longer extends to terrorism and hurricane coverage," as "catastrophic coverage has become separate and more costly since" 9/11. Commissioner Tom Scott: "For them to hold the sports authority hostage, in my opinion, is very inappropriate." Bucs Dir of PR Jeff Kamis said, "We've been willing for several months to sign the agreement." But Byrd noted that the team "insists first on resolving the insurance and security issues" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 4/19). In St. Pete, David Karp reports the TSA "held off on suing the team" yesterday, "even though lawyers had already prepared a five-page lawsuit." County Commissioner Jim Norman: "I believe there is an opportunity to resolve this." Karp notes the TSA "learned it may have unexpected leverage to bring the Bucs to a compromise. The Bucs need the authority's approval to install 10 huge signs that could net the Bucs millions in advertising." TSA postponed the issue for a month rather than approve the signs (ST. PETE TIMES, 4/22). In Tampa, Michael Sasso reports that the TSA has "decided to give the Bucs two weeks" before filing suit (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 4/22).
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