About 5,000 seats with 300 Level pricing will still be available for every Rays gameGETTY IMAGES
The Rays are closing the upper deck at Tropicana Field, "ostensibly to consolidate expenses while creating a more energetic atmosphere" in the ballpark, according to John Romano of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Though the lack of attendance is likely a factor, Rays President Matt Silverman said that the decision is also about "logistics and providing a better fan experience." Because fans have been "scarce in the upper deck, the team has not invested as much money in upgrading restrooms and concessions in the 300 Level." Silverman said, "At this point, it's just not a major-league experience at that level. ... There is no good business case to invest more money on that level." Meanwhile, Romano noted season-ticket holders in the 300 Level are being "told they can choose more expensive seats in the 200 Level and the outfield for no additional charge." Silverman said that about 5,000 seats with 300 Level pricing "would still be available for every game" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 1/5).
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Cwik wrote this is a "bold, new strategy" by the Rays to make Tropicana Field "look more populated." While 26,000 fans is "still a large number, it's quite small for baseball." Enhancing the fan experience is an "admirable goal, but the team will need more than just cosmetic changes to solve its attendance issue" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/4). MLB Network's Dan O'Dowd said having a smaller capacity is going to be the "wave of the future as new ballparks are built." O'Dowd: "They're going to be smaller, more intimate, more fan appealing, they'll be a lot more interactive areas in ballparks" ("MLB Now," MLB Network, 1/4). FORBES' Barry Bloom wrote the future for the Rays at Tropicana Field "seems to be finite" with a lease that expires after the '27 season. With this most recent move, the Rays are "at least trying to cater to the fans they still have" (FORBES.com, 1/4). MLB Network's Chris Rose said the Rays' "struggles with attendance" are well-documented, so the team "could probably keep tarping off" more seats in the future ("Intentional Talk," MLB Network, 1/4).
WORK ALREADY UNDERWAY: Some demolition work is already underway at Tropicana Field, as the Rays have hired Milwaukee-based Plunkett Raysich Architects to do design work on renovations. Rays VP/Strategy & Development Bill Walsh said the team is still picking construction contractors but plans on having the renovations done by Opening Day. He said construction will start in a couple of weeks. Walsh said new social areas will result in 1,000-2,000 standing-room-only tickets at the ballpark. He added the renovations show the team still wants to improve Tropicana Field even as it looks for a new ballpark. “No matter what happens with our new facility, we are going to be at Tropicana Field for another five years. And at this point it looks like we’re going to be there at least five years,” Walsh said. “We’re not giving up on Tropicana Field” (Mike Sunnucks, THE DAILY).
