6 Brutally Honest Stadium Statements from Mayor Buckhorn

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn appeared on Political Connections on Bay News 9 today, shooting from the hip on the Rays' Stadium Saga. Here are some of his quotes, including some very honest responses:

Mayor @BobBuckhorn on @BN9 today: "(Process) be driven by the #Rays...and whatever kind of site they prefer..."
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014

Mayor @BobBuckhorn on @BN9 today: "(#Rays stadium) will be complicated, expensive deal...I probably will not be mayor when its completed..."
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014

.@BobBuckhorn to @adamsmithtimes: I may be mayor to commit tax $ to a stadium but will be "determined by what the #Rays bring to the table."
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014

Mayor @BobBuckhorn re:#Rays stadium: "There'll be hopefully profit-sharing...and all of the revenues will not go directly to the owners..."
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014

This is a terribly interesting idea most-recently floated by an Orange Co. commissioner looking to reduce taxpayer risk in Orlando City's new soccer stadium.

However, the profit-sharing idea was rejected by the team/league and taxpayers handed over tens of millions anyway.

Buckhorn continues:

.@BobBuckhorn: "The public is tired of (stadium subsidies); cities can't afford it; the days of municipal extortion need to be over." #Rays
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014

Mayor @BobBuckhorn on #Rays: "They'll use every opportunity...to extract - some would say extort - the most money from the public."
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014

Mayor @BobBuckhorn on #Rays stadium: "Our job is to protect public interest & make sure if (we invest in a stadium), we get a fair return."
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) December 14, 2014