The Bucs have contacted Hartford officials to see if there
is an interest in luring the team, according to the TAMPA
TRIBUNE. Citing a report from Hartford's WFSB-TV, the Patriots
recently contacted local officials to see if Hartford would be
willing to build a new stadium. The station reported the
Patriots were told the Bucs were also interested (Pat Yasinskas,
TAMPA TRIBUNE, 12/28). According to a report in the ORLANDO
SENTINEL, Hartford Mayor Mike Peters says Bucs officials were in
Hartford in early December to see if an offer the state had made
two years ago to build a stadium for any NFL club was still good
(AP/ ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/28). Jim Kenyon notes talks between
the Bucs and Tampa area officials are scheduled to start again
this week (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 12/28).
OTHER FOOTBALL NOTES: The AP reports some interest, but no
official contact between the Patriots and CT officials (BOSTON
HERALD, 12/26). The Bengals announced an average ticket price
increase of $3 per ticket for next season. The team said it is
faced with an anticipated rise of $2.7M in the salary cap
(Bengals)....The Raiders are moving their $3,000 premium section
B seats and will now be offering $4,000 section A seats in their
place, the most expensive available. Fans will be given the
option to pay the $1,000 upgrade or take inferior seats next
season (Robert Salladay, OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 1/3).
