Hillsborough County Judge Sam Pendino "refused to
validate" $204.5M in stadium bonds Friday because one term
of the lease was "too generous to the team," according to
Joe Henderson of the TAMPA TRIBUNE. That term grants the
Bucs the first $2M each year from non-football parking and
concession revenues at the new stadium and half of all
revenues over $2M. Pendino: "For this reason only, the
paramount public purpose of the project is defeated." But
Henderson noted that a clause in the lease, which keeps the
agreement intact "in case one part is overturned," would
keep the Bucs from voiding the lease and moving. Henderson
also noted that NFL officials "would not comment" on
Friday's ruling (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/22). On Sunday, Tampa
Mayor Dick Greco and County Administrator Dan Kleman met
with Bucs GM Rich McKay to "salvage" the lease. County
Attorney Emeline Acton said the city and county may request
that Pendino validate the bonds without the "offending"
term, or they may appeal his decision to the FL Supreme
Court. Officials "appear to be leaning toward the first
option" (Hollingsworth & Henderson, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/24).
