Report: Rays May Lose Billboard

You can't blame the Rays for trying to maximize every revenue opportunity they have, but apparently the State of Florida does.

According to the Tampa Tribune, the team's 34-by-64 sign above I-275 was never permitted as a billboard.  While businesses are allowed to advertise their own events, the Rays sell space on theirs to other companies, which would required billboard permitting.  And because its too close to other billboards, the Trib reports the team's permit is likely to be turned down:

But state officials warn that is likely to be turned down because the Rays' sign is closer than 1,500 feet to another permitted billboard, the minimum distance state regulations allow between signs.

“There would be a spacing conflict with another permitted sign,” said Rob Jessee, FDOT manager of outdoor advertising control. “It predates their sign and would cause a spacing conflict along the interstate.”

That may leave the Rays with a dent in their revenue.

The Rays wouldn't comment to the Trib on how much revenue the sign produced.