Fans trying to buy season tickets online last night were told they may experience an extended wait timebuccaneers.com
The Buccaneers reportedly will sign Tom Brady to a two-year, $60M contract, and people attempting to buy season tickets on the Bucs' team website after news broke last night were said to have 5,000-6,000 fans "in front of them in line," according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Buyers on the website received this message: "Due to demand, you may experience an extended wait time. Once you reach the front, you may begin to shop." The Bucs averaged 51,898 fans at Raymond James Stadium in '19 -- 30th in the league (ESPN.com, 3/18). In Tampa, Brendan Ward reports Brady's impending arrival will have a huge impact on the Bucs' "reach, exposure and sales." In addition to having "lagged in attendance for several years," the Bucs also have "ranked low among value amongst NFL franchises, coming in at No. 27 last season" on Forbes' list. Brady's presence has the "potential to increase the value of existing and new sponsorship deals," and it "might help close deals in the team's sales pipeline." There also could be a ripple effect on scheduling, as there is a "better chance of the Buccaneers securing primetime slots on Monday and Thursday nights, which could potentially lead to more casual fan exposure as well" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/18). ESPN's Chris Berman said, "There's such an uptick in business -- available seats, sponsorships, etc. -- for a team like Tampa that did not have that otherwise. ... That will make a big difference for them in operating a lot of things" ("NFL Free Agency Countdown," ESPN, 3/17).
THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL: In Tampa, John Romano writes adding Brady is a "bold, exciting, semi-crazy decision" for the Bucs. The move has "desperation written all over it, with cockiness scribbled on top" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/18). Also in Tampa, Rick Stroud writes the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, has always "longed for their team to be relevant again." The Bucs "have been longing for a culture change." Brady "is the culture change" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/18). THE RINGER's Robert Mays writes from Brady's perspective, the Bucs "have a lot to offer -- financially and on the field." Playing at a "discount for years" with the Patriots, Brady now will "finally have a salary in the same ballpark as Kirk Cousins." Mays: "A splash move like this requires ownership’s blessing, and I’m guessing it wasn’t hard to convince the Glazers that paying Brady would be in their best interest" (THERINGER.com, 3/18). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel writes the "marriage of the NFL's winningest quarterback and one of its most star-crossed franchises is somehow a match made in heaven" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/18). USA TODAY's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz notes Tampa will host next year's Super Bowl, as the Bucs look to become the "first NFL team to win the Lombardi Trophy on their home field" (USA TODAY, 3/18).
