Devil Rays Proposed Stadium - The Hull Truth

RI Builder · 02-21-2008, 08:51 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb...rn=mlb%2C67665

I simply do not get it. How is this thing being funded? Why would a team, that since their existence, has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on opening day build a new $450M stadium? For what - to attract all 1,000 fans they get?

Is this the "Build it and they will come" theory at work?

Anyone from the Tamp area with any insight?

cerichcreek · 02-21-2008, 06:53 PM

[quote]Anyone from the Tamp area with any insight?[/quote
apparently not.

Tireless · 02-21-2008, 07:01 PM

Who are the Devil Rays?

tg · 02-21-2008, 07:03 PM

ABoater · 02-21-2008, 09:05 PM

Don't know about the Ray's, but we're still getting screwed by the Raiders and Al Davis with the Coliseum.

Our tax dollars at work!

signmansez · 02-21-2008, 10:24 PM

Well seeing as how they built the Tropicana Dome in the "hopes" of attracting a major league team, this proposal doesn't seem that wacky. The Dome sat empty for years playing host to tractor pulls and flea markets. After 8 years of getting by-passed by expansion teams and those threatening to leave thier host cities, MLB finally granted the Bay area it's major league team.
The only time they fill the 45,000 seats is when the Yankees or Red Sox come to town. Many teams threatened to move here unless thier home towns built them new digs. It worked for the White Sox, Giants and several other teams. The Rays (as they are now called, no more Devil, too scary) average around 16,000 people per game, making them one of the worst attended in the league.
The proposed stadium is actually on the site of where they play thier spring training games. Pretty nice little field. The proposal is actually gaining some momentum. I don't think the city can afford it and with the property tax situation here in Florida I know a baseball stadium is the last thing the residents are going to sign off on. I can't imagine them threatening to leave as I am sure the city would help them pack thier bags.

frank1861 · 02-22-2008, 06:02 PM

They'll propose a new sales tax and everyone in the area will pay for it just like they did for the bucs stadium awhile back. Since the tax payers all pay for it and the team reaps must of the benefits on tickets, $8 hot dogs, and $7 beers do you think they'll give out free season tickets to the tax payers?

Theres nothing wrong with the Trop a new stadium is not gonna help them but a winning season will. I like watching the games but its tough to watch them get whipped over and over again.

TSA · 02-22-2008, 06:22 PM

"ain't goin to happen". And the dumbest thing is they want to go from an air conditioned stadium to an outdoor stadium. Boy, that will really draw them in. Plus, at he proposed new site, there is no parking for the 1000 fans that will/might show up.

tprice · 02-23-2008, 05:14 AM

Nice looking stadium but I get tired of seeing all these cities having to supplement and fund these things, why do they not follow the Nascar boys and
PAY THEIR OWN WAY.

NEVER HEARD OF NASCAR ASKING FOR PUBLIC FUNDING FOR A NE TRACK OR IMPROVEMENTS

Seacat FL · 02-23-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

tprice - 2/23/2008 7:14 AM

Nice looking stadium but I get tired of seeing all these cities having to supplement and fund these things, why do they not follow the Nascar boys and
PAY THEIR OWN WAY.

NEVER HEARD OF NASCAR ASKING FOR PUBLIC FUNDING FOR A NE TRACK OR IMPROVEMENTS

Have you seen the multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge across Speedway Blvd in Daytona that connects NASCAR HQ to Daytona International Speedway?

Paid for by the taxpayers of Florida.

JALICHTY · 02-23-2008, 10:57 AM

There seems to be a misconception among major league sports owners, managers, etc. that building a nice building with amenities like restaurants, beer gardens, water fountains, etc. will bring in the fans no matter how well the team plays. Denver went through that with the Rockies and filled the new Coors Field when they were competitive but after many years of losing, about two or three years ago attendance dropped off significantly. Only when they started winning at the end of this last year did people start flocking to the stadium again. So, to reward those fans, ownership raised the prices this year. Denver Broncos got the city's help to build a new stadium with all the same amenities as the baseball stadium but only a winning team will keep the fans coming back. They did such a good job of design that, unless you leave half-way through the second and fourth quarters, you can't take a pee during half-time or on the way out of the stadium after the game. Doesn't matter to the owners, though, they got their new stadium and the box seat revenue. What a rip-off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!