Report: Bucs To Discuss $1 Billion Renovation Of The Licht House, One Season Outside Of Tampa
April 2nd, 2026
Team Glazer weighed in on Tuesday.
NFL owners like to make lots of money.
Joe has an idea. Perhaps teams could open more training camp practices and charge fans to enter, or sell a streaming package to view parts of every training camp practice. Lots of untapped fan happiness — and revenue — at training camp.
But training camp, of course, represents only fractions of a penny when it comes to the big business of NFL stadiums. NFL teams love to soak fans for cash and take sponsors to the cleaners in their stadiums.
It’s the American way!
A report in the Tampa Bay Times today says the Buccaneers will be talking to the publicly-operated Tampa Sports Authority about renovations to the Bucs’ stadium that will cost up to $1 billion. Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer told Joe on Tuesday that stadium age demands the Bucs look at upgrades.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve the stadium, looking across the league and seeing what everybody’s doing,” Joel Glazer said to Joe and another reporter on Tuesday in Phoenix.
“We take note of what everybody does and kind of take a long-term approach to everything. … We’re always looking at that. Obviously, as the stadium gets older, there’s things that will be required. That’s something that we’re looking at.”
Glazer added there’s no “crystal ball” to determine if the Bucs would be more likely to pursue a new stadium or only renovations. He said either direction could be a great fit.
Per the Tampa Bay Times, The Bucs would need to relocate for an entire season if major stadium renovations kicked off. This week, the NFL signed off on the Jaguars playing the 2027 season at Camping World Stadium in Orlando while their Jacksonville crib gets a makeover.
Joe heard all this and wondered if the Tampa Sports Authority would have been willing to lay out the cash to sign edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:22 pm
I’m sure the Glazer’s will be demanding taxpayer cash.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Finally yes please Upgrades or a new Stadium IDC put a Retractable Roof on in case of Rain an Lightning Upgrade the Ship make the Stadium way more.modern players will want to come there an so will fans make it happen
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:26 pm
If Tampa gets off the hook with just a $1B bill, that will be a huge win. Now days you figure you’re spending at least $2B, or more. I mean that trash ugly super basic new stadium in Buffalo somehow costs well over $2B.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:27 pm
BuccinBaker6, Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Finally yes please Upgrades or a new Stadium IDC put a Retractable Roof on in case of Rain an Lightning Upgrade the Ship make the Stadium way more.modern players will want to come there an so will fans make it happen
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What year is this? No one builds retractable stadiums anymore as they’re a complete waste since they never want to open them up, and it basically doubles the construction costs.
If they do anything in terms of a roof, it will be more like what the Dolphins did.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:29 pm
I live in Orlando area so I wonder if after the Jags leave and go back to playing in there new stadium if the Bucs will come here and play a season while they get new stadium renovations.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:33 pm
BucsFan81 Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:29 pm
I live in Orlando area so I wonder if after the Jags leave and go back to playing in there new stadium if the Bucs will come here and play a season while they get new stadium renovations.
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Most likely they’d play a year in Orlando – although maybe they just play in the new USF stadium for a year. They could probably jack up the prices for seats to the point they’d make about the same money, and the Bucs wouldn’t have to get that Orlando stench on the team.
OR, better yet, go play a year in the Thunderdome, just to prove that it’s baseball that makes that place so boring. The dome was rocking back in the days the Lightning and even the Storm played there – but for baseball, I’ve literally almost fell asleep during games there.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:35 pm
I predict the Glazers will threaten to move the team, to Orlando perhaps, in order to get a new stadium. They won’t be satisfied with just renovations.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:35 pm
People can’t pay their bills. It better be 100% Bucs funded. No more corporate welfare for billionaires. Just vote no.
-David
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:47 pm
a new stadium isnt needed….
rayjay just needs a canopy…
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:49 pm
I’ve had season tickets in the Big Sombrero and Ray Jay. A fully enclosed stadium done right would be a huge upgrade. It’s so hot all through November. It’s why I quit buying season tickets. Now I go to a few December games and watch the rest in 74 degrees temperatures from my living room.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:52 pm
What do they envision?
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:53 pm
BPBucsFan … ‘I’m sure the Glazer’s will be demanding taxpayer cash.’
Since it’s the taxpayers who actually own RayJay stadium, and it’s managed through the Tampa Sports Authority, I’d expect that any upgrades to our stadium will be paid for by the taxpayers. HOPEFULLY the Glazers agree to contribute to the renovation costs however (it’s certainly in their best interests to do so).
The fact that the players gave the field itself an F rating this year should be very concerning. Looked back through the last several player reviews, but it doesn’t appear that players were previously asked to evaluate the field itself. Because Tampa Sports Authority has to make money to keep up the field, LOTS of other users book time at RayJay (USF, Monster Truck & Motocross rallies, big concerts, equestrian events, etc). And many of those events do a real number on the field, and leave it in terrible condition sometimes if those events occur too closely to Bucs’ games.
I keep wondering if less than satisfactory field conditions have had anything to do with the seemingly excessive player injuries we’ve experienced over the past couple of years.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Remember when they added seats for the Brady signing- cheap bleacher make shift. Took them down once he left. Joke
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Rod Munch … ‘If Tampa gets off the hook with just a $1B bill, that will be a huge win.’
Tampa can’t even pay to keep its streets properly paved. The very thought of them coming up with $1 BILLION (or more) to renovate RayJay is laughable Rod.
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:59 pm
“Open more practices and charge” – this is a good idea. I used to love going to TC practices but now they are limited, insanely crowded as we’re dying in the heat. Put a price tag on those and add more, I will gladly pay for some extra room and a more exclusive feel.
“add a VIP stream service to view TC practices live”.. also a great idea as long as it wouldn’t be too limited.. so yea good ideas and there is a lot of untapped potential to monetize TC. fans around the league have a much greater demand for year round coverage these days. the NFL monetizes but individual teams have yet to tap into ways to capture that demand.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:06 pm
“We’re always looking…” yet more hot air from the Glazer dunce camp. These words mean nothing. This is obviously a penny-pinching year for our owners. Don’t expect them to do anything proactive if it has to involve their wallets.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Let’s see……Rays 2.3B, Bucs 1B. Good luck Hillsborough County!
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:10 pm
Closing the roof or doing a cover similar to the Dolphins stadium would benefit the fans experience especially during August and September.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:11 pm
RayJay is about the same age as the Sombrero when it was demolished. Let that sink in. It’s woefully behind the times and lacks many of the basic/standard amenities that come with newer facilities. With streaming nearly everywhere you watch from is more comfortable and convenient vs roasting and getting gouged at the concession stands.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:13 pm
This is exact reason they approved Jacksonville jags using Orlando for a season while they do upgrades/renovations. Tampa will do the same.
Hope they will do a better job thank they are doing with Manchester United
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:18 pm
I would rather see them renovate the coaches lounge with new coaches and replacement players its gonna be same result either way
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:20 pm
they need a place with a roof ….a billion for more tv’s, or just bigger ones?
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Wasteful spending
No wonder this country is in $100 Trillion Dollar debt
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:24 pm
TSA must have switched suppliers for the turf or went cheaper. They used to be known for having one of the better fields. Bucs should be raising cane if the turf is causing injuries.
The NFLPA survey dogged the locker rooms too. I guess that will be part of the billion. Most of the rest of the player complaints are Glazer issues. Not making enough profit I guess.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Could they play in the Trop?
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Wow, that’s crazy! I looked it up and construction broke ground in October 1996. The last time I was at the stadium was four years ago and I still thought it was a very good experience. I’ve been to worse NFL stadiums. At the time I would have said Ray Jay was better than half the stadiums out there, but it is sliding down that list with the new stadiums coming up. I’d probably rank it 20th or 21st today.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:32 pm
23 posts with no mention of Todd Bowles…..wow!!!, I’m impressed…..
The T”B” DS is under control thus far….
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:33 pm
I understand the Glazers want to milk more money out of the stadium, but I don’t see why it needs to be upgraded. The field probably needs more attention, but the stadium itself if great. I have had season tickets every year since 1997 and have had the same seats in Ray Jay since it opened. I’m also located in the shade, but if the stadium is going to be renovated, I’d advocate for a roof like Dolphins have on Hard Rock. We had two games this year with hard rain, so I am all for a roof.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:58 pm
and what is not mentioned here is the fact that you know the NFL owners have promised the Bucs to host more Super Bowls and get on the rotation but not until the renovations get done. They are all blood money greedy suckers.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Considering the circumstances (3rd and 28) I would recommend they stfu about a stadium for the moment. I certainly am not going to vote for it.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Get ready to make the drive to Orlando for 2028 and possibly 2029 boys. This is happening
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Cover it like LA stadium. Go Bucs
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:10 pm
“Tampa can’t even pay to keep its streets properly paved. The very thought of them coming up with $1 BILLION (or more) to renovate RayJay is laughable Rod.”
LMAO number one – spare me the righteousness, and 2. that is a false equivalence as those two things are funded differently. Two separate things.
People are also awful hyporcrites, in a hypothetical world where the team moves then everyone will be crying about we we didnt do enough to keep the team in tampa.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:14 pm
If it doesn’t include some sort of roof or partial roof than don’t bother. I don’t know exactly what RayJay is missing that would improve the fan experience other than keeping than from getting cooked at 1 pm games in Sept / Oct.
Also they need to figure out a new turf system. It’s ridiculous that USF can play on it the week prior and would impact it a week later for our game. I realize USF be playing in their own home really soon, but even so, do they cover the field so that day and/or days of rain prior doesn’t affect their field conditions the day of?
Field conditions impacted a couple of games this season, I realize everyone has to play in those conditions, but I’m more concerned with injuries on bad fields.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:23 pm
“Considering the circumstances (3rd and 28) I would recommend they stfu about a stadium for the moment. I certainly am not going to vote for it.”
Did you say this in 95 – 96 when the Bucs were the worst organization in sports? Bucs go 8-9 after some playoff appearances and a superbowl tied in and you’re going to be super RASH, emotional, with a complete lack of foresight about how this all works huh?
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:24 pm
I would rather they put the money toward a dome stadium that can double as a storm shelter.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:29 pm
I haven’t been to practices since they were at University of Tampa.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:46 pm
Please for God’s sake dome it or make it much cooler. Temperatures are only getting hotter. It’s intensely repressive heat now!
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:05 pm
Even for serious football fans (and baseball fans, since it’s the same topic with the Rays), cities coming up with hundreds of millions for a stadium that sends all revenues to the Glazers is gross and unsavory. The Glazers have made their money off Tampa tax dollars already. If they want more, they should move. The team is going to suck between improbable Super Bowls anyway.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:23 pm
Might as well do the upgrades theirs season while we stilll have Bowles and nobody will care if they play in another city because we’re most likely going to suck anyway and not worth seeing in person.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:26 pm
They won’t need to go to Orlando. Keep up the downward trend they may be lucky to fill up the new Bulls stadium.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Calling it the Licht House is the ultimate kiss of death…eclipsing the cover of SI and/or The Madden Video Game.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Wasteful spending
No wonder this country is in $100 Trillion Dollar debt
The US debt is because we spend too much upgrading our infrastructure? Lol.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:43 pm
So all of you experts. Please give me a list of upgrades that are needed for this $1-$2billion price tag? I have has season tickets a long time. Yes it’s hot. I was born in Tampa so I have had 67 summers. Many of them when I was young in a house and schools with no A/C. Don’t get me wrong, I love my A/C, but really what upgrades can improve my game experience? I sit in the lower bowl on the west side. Improve the product on the field and that will improve my game experience.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Stanglassman Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Wasteful spending
No wonder this country is in $100 Trillion Dollar debt
The US debt is because we spend too much upgrading our infrastructure? Lol
Billionaire’s sports stadiums aren’t “infrastructure” bozo
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Hiring a better coach would have been a good investment if they’re planning on hitting up taxpayers for a billion. Fans are getting nothing but sharp sticks in the eye this offseason.
The beach is fun. Fishing is fun. Golf. Tennis. You can always watch the Bucs on TV if they move to Orlando or London, in any case. It would be great to have a big grassy park in the middle of town on Dale Mabry.
April 2nd, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Stanglassman
Manchester United homefield is “”Old Trafford “* built in 1916
The stadium is 116 years old
Why the Glazers haven’t asked the City of Manchester for billions?
America is the only dumb country that waste funds on stupidity
That’s why the national debt is out of control
April 2nd, 2026 at 6:11 pm
****l meant Old Trafford was built in 1910***
April 2nd, 2026 at 6:14 pm
If they cared about the fans at all, Mike Evans is still a Buccaneer because Todd Bowles isn’t.
Orlando will probably trip over themselves to give the Glazers all the belly rubs they want.
Orlando Buccaneers coming.
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Who gives a sh*t?
Apathy
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:19 pm
Retractable roof or straight up indoor stadium. TB plays away games at Ramond James because the outdoor experience is treacherous and natives know better.
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:25 pm
I’m sure whatever renovations are made it will be with an eye towards attracting another Super Bowl to Tampa. There is a lot of competition with the new stadiums that have gone up and the Glazers are looking to up their game at Ray Jay.
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:26 pm
Change everything! But….the HC ..OK
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:26 pm
Of course they want this as the Rays try to get a new stadium. Shady ass cheap owners. Either invest in the team or sell it. This middle of the road crap is very Stu like.
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Is it a coincidence this being discussed so soon after the Rays are looking for big money across the street? That’s for you to decide and wonder…. 🤷♂️
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Why not combine with the rays the rays for a multiple use facility. Were broke otherwise
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:35 pm
Big Red,
For Baseball and Hockey brother. Stop with all the new stadiums need to be indoors or a dome.
Football has been played outside since the beginning of time and in the elements, come rain, sun or snow. We all grew up in Florida playing pop Warner or peewee outside. Our major college teams play outside. The Bucs have always played outdoors. The Bucs don’t need an d@mn indoor stadium. SMH.
Silliness. Just plain silly.
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:44 pm
The Buccaneers waived wide receiver Jaden Smith on Thursday, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. WHO?????
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:57 pm
yet they are too cheap to fire the least paid head coach in the league
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:07 pm
No.
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:12 pm
As they’ve proven over and over, don’t think you’re in Jason Lichts head. Why you might ask. Barton, Egbuka, Kancey, Not one person was real hip on those pics ok I’m thinking if the right edge isn’t there 🤔 Reciever may be the call, if they don’t drop back for that QB from Bama. So is that crazy
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Joe, do you think the Bucs will eye playing multiple international games during the year they will be renovating RJS? I was a bit surprised that the Bucs did not give up a home game this year to go to Germany or the UK but maybe they are going to do what the Jags are planning: play multiple games across the pond and kind of bank them to meet that new mandate of every team playing one game abroad a season which is on its way. I could see a team like Tampa or Jacksonville playing 2 or 3 (maybe 4) games overseas with at least 2 of them being “home” games that would have been played in Orlando. The games would be a sellout and coin would be made for Kahn and the Glazers respectively.
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:59 pm
USF new stadium will have a capacity of 35,000. Why not just play there for 1 season?
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:01 pm
Defense Rules Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Rod Munch … ‘If Tampa gets off the hook with just a $1B bill, that will be a huge win.’
Tampa can’t even pay to keep its streets properly paved. The very thought of them coming up with $1 BILLION (or more) to renovate RayJay is laughable Rod.
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And yet they’re going to give the Rays a $2B stadium for a dying sport?
RayJay is one of the busiest stadiums in the country, I think last time I checked it was literally #1. Additionally it’s still a tourism based economy. Additionally they already extended the half-cent sales tax to pay for it – the dumb voters there voted for it.
But why baseball? It’s just stupid – no one cares, they couldn’t even sell out the minor league stadium last year. Just delete the Rays already and get them out of town. The Bucs and Lightning are more than enough for the area.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Wasteful spending
No wonder this country is in $100 Trillion Dollar debt
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It’s just money, print more.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:33 pm
You answered your own question.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Perhaps. But by then — if it comes to that — the NFL will already have an international game each week so not sure it will matter.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:51 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Stanglassman
Manchester United homefield is “”Old Trafford “* built in 1916
The stadium is 116 years old
Why the Glazers haven’t asked the City of Manchester for billions?
America is the only dumb country that waste funds on stupidity
That’s why the national debt is out of control
^^^
This is simply not true. Any of it. I guess you correct the year the stadium was build so you got that correct. Your example old Trafford has been renovated 4 times just like Ray Jay with a mix of private and public funds. They have retired it and building a 2.6 billion dollar state of the art new stadium.
For the guy who thinks a sports and recreational stadium isn’t part of a cities infrastructure I’m not sure what to say. Check and see who owns Raymond James. It’s the Hillsborough County. the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) manages and operates Raymond James Stadium. As an independent special district created in 1965, the TSA oversees the county-owned stadium, three city golf courses, and the Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:03 pm
I’m tired of getting rained on at the games with soaked shoes walking mile and half in the rain
.or sitting in blistering heat…need a parking garages.. needs better owners
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:20 pm
Glazers, please. Just sell the team or move it. Just get out of our community.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:35 pm
There are no federally funded stadiums. If you want to argue the feds indirectly pay the interest on tax-exempt municipal bonds, that’s a fully different story. Those same bonds are also used for bankrolling schools, roads, bridges, water systems, hospitals, airports, public utilities, etc. So they are not an inherent evil.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:45 pm
Joe Says:
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:33 pm
USF new stadium will have a capacity of 35,000. Why not just play there for 1 season?
You answered your own question.
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I actually think they would play there. With just 35k seats, in a new stadium (even a ‘cheap’ college one) they could really jack up prices vs getting maybe 50k in Orlando with plenty of extra seats available, thus lowering prices.
We shall see, but I wouldn’t discount it, should this all happen.
April 3rd, 2026 at 12:34 am
I’d say they picked a REAL BAD TIME to ABSOLUTELY TURN OFF the fan base from buying a coke from the Glazer children Much the Less spending a dollar to even show up at the stadium!
With a “KNOWN” Lame Duck, failed head coach/ defensive coordinator, the ownership of this failing organization just CAN’T seemed to read the room..
The Glazers are accomplished at utterly BLOWING extreme amounts of money and have Once Again missed the boat due to poor judgment and Always listening to some Very Bad advice.
Without the Massive Support from the Revenue that the fans “would have” provided with a excited Sparkle in their eyes.. A license to print money from the fan base, Would Have Paid For BILLIONS of DOLLARS of refurbishing for the crumbling stadium with a smile on their faces and “HOPE” of an “Actual Opportunity” to STAND IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE” by next Febuary….
But instead we DEFINITELY CAN’T find even “One Fan” that believes we Seriously have a snowballs chance in Haiti, that would affirm such nonsense of going to and winning a Super Bowl by the end of next season, with a strait face!
This refurbish IS GONNA COST the Glazers A LOT of MONEY without the financial support of the fan base… It’s a lesson they Must Learn, and you better believe they Won’t Soon forget the money Vortex that refurbing of the stadium Will BE!
They’re SURE gonna wish they made the “fans” happy once they realize that the “income”, just isn’t there…
April 3rd, 2026 at 12:37 am
Sure they saved a few million by keeping Bowles around for another year, but it might have “Cost them” hundreds of Millions to do it….
April 3rd, 2026 at 12:58 am
Obvious One Says:
April 3rd, 2026 at 12:37 am
Sure they saved a few million by keeping Bowles around for another year, but it might have “Cost them” hundreds of Millions to do it….
You are making up a reason that they kept Bowles that is very unlikely to be true. Then claim it might cost them 100s of millions? Is this just cope? If it’s a way for you to smooth yourself don’t let me get in your way. But if we are talking reality, It’s ridiculous.
April 3rd, 2026 at 1:04 am
Obvious One Says:
April 3rd, 2026 at 12:34 am
I’d say they picked a REAL BAD TIME to ABSOLUTELY TURN OFF the fan base from buying a coke from the Glazer children Much the Less spending a dollar to even show up at the stadium!
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Again, the people of Hillsborough already voted to fund this when they reupped the half-cent sales tax. It was literally for projects such as this.
The real issue, however, would be wasting money on the Rays stadium. No one cares about baseball here. I went to a game at Steinbrenner Field last year, and it was probably 70% full. Why would they waste money on a baseball stadium, in particular when it would compete with a new RayJay for concerts and such. One of the big reason you’d pay for an upgraded RayJay is all the live events there, the place is literally one of the most busy stadiums in the US, and they could pretty easily pay for it using non-football fees.
The big thing would be if the city gave up revenue from non-football events, that’s a red-line they shouldn’t cross. But just redoing the stadium? For a tourist based economy, where voters already voted to fund it, that’s a no-brainer.
In any case, I live in Pasco, so I couldn’t care less what the taxes the dummies in Tampa pay. The only issue are all the dummies from Tampa that move to new areas with lower taxes, and then vote YES to every single tax increase because they want their “free” stuff (which isn’t free, btw).
April 3rd, 2026 at 2:40 am
Bye bye Buccaneers. The new logo will be fitting for the team, renamed the Orlando Bowlesclowns.
April 3rd, 2026 at 6:02 am
Wow, Rod Munch is the only one that would troll people on stadium talk. Dude really does think he knows everything. C’mon, Man, relax.
Good article, Joe.
April 3rd, 2026 at 7:41 am
@ Rod Munch – That’s just absurd that no one cares about baseball here. No one cared about the past OWNERS. And, it was too damn HOT to sit out there Steinbrenner. I was actually SHOCKED they drew as many as they did. This new ownership group is extremely SHARP and SLICK. Unlike the Bucs Ownership, they KNOW WTF THEY’RE DOING. They WILL draw 2,000,000 in Tampa (in an inclosed stadium) – WATCH. Tampa Bay LOOOOOVES BASEBALL, so you can speak for your-frickin-SELF. When the Rays were on FOX for free, their ‘ratings’ were REALLLLL STRONG. St. Pete could not have been a WORSE SPOT for their stadium. No Fortune 500 companies, the overall demographics were THE WORST in the league, and was not even the ‘largest’ population center in the area. MAJOR Traffic concerns, and you can go on. Again, Tampa Bay absolutely LOOOVES BASEBALL, and they LOVE their RAYS. The Tampa Bay Metro is one THE BIGGEST AND BEST “Baseball” Metros in THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. Just PERIOD. End of Story. You have ‘FIVE’ Spring Training Facilities in the area, that are absolutely PACKED and ‘Sold-Out’ for almost EVERY GAME. Have YOU tried buying a ticket to one of THOSE games lately!? At Clearwater (Phillies), Dunedin (Blue Jays), Tampa (Yankees), Sarasota (Orioles), Bradenton (Pirates), Lakeland (Detroit)!? Some of those Yankees tickets will now run ya a couple of HUNDRED DOLLARS per game, & you can’t hardly get a BERM SEAT in Clearwater now, for under $45 (IF you are LUCKY enough to even get one). Another thing, quite possibly (very possibly), the Tampa Bay Area as a whole, is where THE BEST “High School” BASEBALL (with the best TALENT) is being PLAYED right now, in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. So, there is no baseball-problem HERE. It is JUST a Rod Much PROBLEM. So, speak FOR YOURSELF, cause I can go on. Just WATCH these new owners, and start actually PAYING ATTENTION, for ONCE.
April 3rd, 2026 at 7:48 am
And, one more thing… The new RAYS OWNERS, will be paying OVER 50% of their own $$$$ for THEIR NEW STADIUM. And, I would not be surprised one bit to see that number being closer to 60% even, by the time it is all said and done. And, THEY are building an entire new DISTRICT (with hotels, condos, bars, entertainment, Etc etc.) modeled after The Battery in ATL. It’s going to be a HUGE DEAL. Will entirely change (and greatly benefit) the entire area. And, YOU KNOW that it absolutely TEARS the Glazers TF UPPPPP 💯. Which I LOVE-IT.
April 3rd, 2026 at 8:09 am
Annnnddd, “BASEBALL” along with MLB right now, is absolutely BOOMING. With the new rules, the ‘ratings’ are THROUGH THE ROOF. And, the ONLY thing that can STOP IT at this point, will be THEMSELVES. And, that would be if they were to go on STRIKE. Otherwise, it will only continue TO EXPLODE. Especially, in THIS AREA. Expansion is on the horizon (probably Nashville and Salt Lake – potentially Charlotte). The A’s will have their brand new facility in VEGAS. They just have to get it right, and NOT STRIKE. Start PAYING ATTENTION. The Rays TV-Ratings were SO HUGE (some of the strongest numbers in the league), until MLB screwed it up. Hopefully, they’ll get that worked back oot again, but other than that, MLB is freaking KILLING-IT. The “World Baseball Classic” (WBC) Finals, just OUTDREW THE “NBA FINALS.” Baseball has now surpassed THE NBA as this country’s #2 Professional SPORT.
April 3rd, 2026 at 9:27 am
Isn’t there a large high school stadium in Tampa that could sccomodate the fan base?
April 3rd, 2026 at 10:09 am
Need a retractable roof stadium.
April 3rd, 2026 at 6:24 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
April 3rd, 2026 at 7:41 am
@ Rod Munch – That’s just absurd that no one cares about baseball here.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning drew bigger crowds at the same stadium.
Even more damning… the Tampa Bay Storm literally drew larger average attendance than the Rays get.
The Rays couldn’t even sell out the minor league park on a consistent basis.
No one cares about baseball. It’s an old, boring, dying sport. There is zero reason to build anything for the Rays, certainly not if the stadium is going to compete with a new RayJay for concerts and such. The only way for the city to justify paying to redo RayJay is for all the non-football events, and they’d literally be undercutting that with two stadiums right next to each other.
The Rays just need to go away already. They add nothing, would be better of going to some boring trash city up north where people still show-up for games since there’s literally nothing else to do in their dying towns.
April 4th, 2026 at 11:24 am
I love the Buc’s but taxpayers need to stop paying for these venues. No other business gets this accommodation. Just another sign of American fiscal irresponsibility. Billion $ entertainment upgrade and deficient infrastructure. Just say no and if they move so be it.
April 4th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Big Slick Says:
April 4th, 2026 at 11:24 am
I love the Buc’s but taxpayers need to stop paying for these venues. No other business gets this accommodation.
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Again, the voters already funded this when they renewed the .5% sales tax. This is LITERALLY what it was for in part – it was LITERALLY renewing the old deal which was only passed in the first place to build RayJay in the first place (and some school money, which, BTW, failed to pass when it was just about schools).
As for other businesses? Yes, other businesses do in fact get all sorts of tax breaks. It’s called competition – cities compete with each other bring in businesses.
I’m not even arguing if your point if is valid or not – but just factually speaking, you’re incorrect about the NFL being the only business that gets special benefits.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
@Rod Munch, I hate to ruin your diet tribe with facts. But you do realize Tropicana is sold out for the race home opener? What are the chances the Bucs sell out their home opener this year? Baseball matters in Tampa also.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
*diatribe **Rays