Now that Tampa/Hillsborough County doesn't have to participate in funding a new baseball stadium, it will surely be time to get the ball rolling on a major upgrade for the Buccaneers stadium.
Wait didn't they just do a renovation? Sure. They spent $160 million for the upgrades six years ago in 2018. Peanuts.
NFL Stadiums built in the 1990s:
Jacksonville Jaguars TIAA Bank Field 1995 $140M - City council just approved new stadium for a $1.6 Billion pricetag.
Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium 1996 $248M City Council approved $800 mil upgrades
Washington Commanders Washington Commanders FedEx Field 1997 $250M Push for new stadium well underway.
Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium 1998 $220M approved $600 mil upgrade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium 1998 $169M (crickets)
Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns FirstEnergy Stadium 1999 $283M Browns propose $1 Billion renovation to city council.
Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium 1999 $290M Broke ground on new $2.1 Billion stadium.
Other new stadiums include Rams, Raiders, Bills, Bears (on the way), KC ($800 mil upgrades), NO ($535 mil renovations), Broncos new owner wants new stadium to replace 2001 Mile High Stadium. Miami Hard Rock underwent $500 mil in renovations.
As you can see, keeping up with the Joneses in the NFL is expensive. You can expect that the talk about a big renovation project or even a new stadium will be heating up this year.
Absolutely no to the idea of a new stadium. First of all RJS is aesthically pleasing and there's a ton of Buccaneer and NFL history in that stadium. Upgrades here and there, sure. But leave it standing.
Complicating this issue is the fact that the average Bucs ticket price is above the league average in an area where people frankly don't have a ton of money. The Bucs averaged $124.43 and the league average was $120. And we only sell out when the team is contending or the opponent fans "travel" well. A stadium upgrade would presumably be accompanied by higher ticket prices, seat licenses, etc. Would Bucs fans kick in for seat licenses?
Fans generally like RJ already. Would significantly more fans come to a new or better stadium? A major upgrade would presumably include protection so people aren't getting baked in the sun or pelted by the rain. I don't know if that is enough to create a willingness for fans to pay higher ticket prices or to buy seat licenses and so forth.
Ultimately, for ownership, the purpose of a new or upgraded stadium is not just prestige, it's to increase the revenue and the resale value of the team. The Glazers don't want to go down the road of threatening to move the team out of Tampa Bay.
However, you can expect that there will be talk of a new stadium in a nearby county to put pressure on Hillsborough to pony up fpr a new or renovated stadium. Pinellas is out because they will be building the Rays stadium. Hernando and Manatee are too far from the city of Tampa. Pasco County would seem to me to be the only county outside of Hillsborough which could legitimately be floated as an alternative location for a new Buccaneers stadium. Of course that wouldn't really happen would it? But there has to be some leverage for the Bucs owners to create an impetus for getting something done.
The stadium lease only goes through 2027. IMO The likely outcome will be a major renovation costing between $500 million and $1 Billion which will be debated and decided within the next couple years.
All depends on the revenue generated by the stadium itself. If it’s lagging then it will be upgraded.
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All depends on the revenue generated by the stadium itself. If it’s lagging then it will be upgraded.
Well, as I'm sure you know businesspeople are looking to make more money regardless of whether they are making enough or not. The Bucs are 24th in the league in value (which is up three from the previous year). But most of the teams below them (Carolina, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Cincy, Buffalo) are in the process of major upgrades to their stadium situation. (Chargers, Detroit, Arizona aren't doing much).
Another consideration is getting Superbowls. It's going to be hard to get one without a stadium upgrade. Not that I care because to me it's just a week of horrible traffic. Normal people can't go to the Superbowl whether it's here or anywhere else.
Absolutely no to the idea of a new stadium. First of all RJS is aesthically pleasing and there's a ton of Buccaneer and NFL history in that stadium. Upgrades here and there, sure. But leave it standing.
This. All. Day. Who in their right mind would ask for tax payer monies to build/improve a stadium at this time?
Well I'll have to agree with you. Everybody knows those freaks over in Pinellas aren't playing with a full deck.Absolutely no to the idea of a new stadium. First of all RJS is aesthically pleasing and there's a ton of Buccaneer and NFL history in that stadium. Upgrades here and there, sure. But leave it standing.
This. All. Day. Who in their right mind would ask for tax payer monies to build/improve a stadium at this time?
The Glazers are considering selling naming rights for Old Trafford so I am pretty sure anything goes when it comes to making $$
The stadium is fine other than no protection from the sun, especially on the visitors side. Maybe invest in partial roof ala the old Cowboys stadium with the field open to the elements? I would think the Bucs would not want to give up the advantage of having the sun beat down on the visitor sideline later in the season. The parking lot access roads should be redone with fresh gravel or pavement. We parked in lot 13 when we had tickets and the road everyone walks to get to the paved road to the stadium is embarrassing given a multi-billion dollar organization which is hosting their fans and visitor fans.
Well I'll have to agree with you. Everybody knows those freaks over in Pinellas aren't playing with a full deck.
Everyone knows you aren't saying the need to replace The Trop is the same as replacing/improving RJS.
You said "Who in their right mind would use taxpayer money to build or improve a stadium at this time." That's what they are about to do in St. Pete. And that's what they are doing in every NFL city with a stadium built in 1999 or earlier.Well I'll have to agree with you. Everybody knows those freaks over in Pinellas aren't playing with a full deck.
Everyone knows you aren't saying the need to replace The Trop is the same as replacing/improving RJS.
I challenge anyone to find one NFL stadium built in the 20th century that has not even begun the public discussion of a major ($1/2 Bil +)renovation or replacement... other than RJ. The Bengals Paycor stadium which was built in 2000 (two years newer than RJ) and they are only spending $120 million for their upgrade. That's technically the 20th century, so that's the only one in the ballpark.
apart from missing roof I see no need for any upgrades
Well here are some more stats for you - the Bucs were 28th in the league in attendance in 2023, and that includes a good percentage of visitors from out of state. They have the fourth lowest season ticket prices in the league. Their team valuation is 24th in the league at $4.2 Billion and 2023 revenue was 24th as well. Again, some of those teams below them are in the process of getting new or improved stadiums such as Car, Jax, Buf, Ten.apart from missing roof I see no need for any upgrades
So you the average Joe fan might not see a need for upgrades, but what do the owners see? They own a business and are trying to maximize profit and increase the value of their franchise.
Jax upgrades:
The updated look of EverBank Stadium was revealed last summer, representing the next step in the team's efforts to transform downtown Jacksonville. The Jaguars plan to make the stadium four times as wide as the current one with interactive social areas and food local to the city. The stadium will include state of the art technology and a shade canopy to reduce heat retention by 70%. also...
- Shade on all seats
- A 360-degree concourse
- Wider concourses
- Increased space for football operations
- Better vertical transportation
- Replace HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems
Upgrades I could see for RJ:
Shade and heat reduction technology similar to Jax not to mention rain.
Parking garages with direct access to stadium.
Improved roads/transportation to the stadium from the airport and expressways.
Mixed use development around the area.
Of course improvement of concourses, bathrooms, more luxury suites and all that stuff.
Fans have ability to use ship cannon to shoot down opponent field goal attempts.
Price: $1 Billion. Hillsborough taxpayers will pay $500 mil. It's a couple years down the line, so I'm accounting for inflation. But the longer you wait, the more it will cost. That's my prediction.
apart from missing roof I see no need for any upgrades
I guess those of us who spent some time, in the sun, at the Ol’ Sombrero, and who realize who actually pays for the stadium, have a somewhat different perspective.
…but hey, if I don’t have to contribute, bring on the dome.
It’s been demonstrated over time, who this team & stadium belong to… number one in our hearts, number 1237 in our check register…regardless of how many decades you lose.
Weve been experiencing some great years lately, better management, better records than any 5 year stretch I can remember…and I appreciate it.
But, uh, no, not if we pay are paying for those stadium upgrades.
Got some different priorities right now.
