Friday, March 31, 2017

The Tampa Bay Times' Annual Opening Day Frustratitorial

The Times' editorial board published its annual Opening Day editorial, complaining about the slow pace of the Stadium Saga for an eighth running. The gist is pretty much the same every year, but the specific fears have evolved:
  • 2014 - 2016: Please just hurry up and do something!
  • 2012 - 2013: The Marlins have a new stadium!!
  • 2010 - 2011: St. Pete losing leverage in negotiations
The opening graf lays out what is likely an overly-aggressive timeline for the Rays & local politicians...but give them credit for optimism!
The Tampa Bay Rays open their 20th season Sunday in sold-out Tropicana Field with new turf, new concessions (a $13 grilled cheese burger!?), new players — and a familiar discussion about prospects for a new stadium. By Opening Day in 2018, there should be a site selected for the next Rays ballpark and a general agreement on how to pay for it. The continuing uncertainty is unhealthy for the Rays and for a region that is enjoying a growth spurt but cannot afford to lose major-league baseball.
Of course, it isn't finding a site that's the biggest challenge; it's the financing and lack of appetite for public subsidies.

That's unlikely to change in the next 12 months.  But at least the Times isn't contributing as much to MLB's fearmongering as it used to back earlier in the decade. 
Although, it's good to see they're not afraid to recycle a lede:
The sellout crowd at the Tampa Bay Rays' 14th season opener tonight at Tropicana Field will find new food choices, a new playing surface and plenty of new players. What the franchise needs to ensure its long-term future in the region is a serious conversation about a new stadium.




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10 comments:

  1. KeiMarch 31, 2017 at 8:42 AM

    It's interesting that the editorial speaks about how Tampa Bay "can't afford to lose major-league baseball." Is that one particular sports franchise really so important that losing it would result in an irreversible decline in the region's fortunes?

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    Replies
    1. scott myersMarch 31, 2017 at 9:00 AM

      Hi Kei - the answer to your question is no If the Rays leave, it will be no big deal for Tampa Bay. However, the Rays/MLB might want to stay to 'mine' the 11th largest TV market in the USA. In any case, not a dime of taxpayer money should go towards a new stadium.

      Delete
    2. TomMarch 31, 2017 at 9:12 AM

      Tell me, how many stadiums since 1946 have been built without taxpayer money. I shouldn't have to wait long.

      Delete
    3. Noah PranskyMarch 31, 2017 at 9:15 AM

      Tom, there were quite a few in the 40s and 50s. Not many in the last 50 years, however.

      Here's a post on it:
      http://shadowofthestadium.blogspot.com/2010/02/fifty-years-of-arena-building-on-public.html

      Delete
  2. TomMarch 31, 2017 at 9:11 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMarch 31, 2017 at 11:39 AM

    11 largest market television, but last in attendance every year.Even when they had successfull teams.

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    Replies
    1. Noah PranskyApril 2, 2017 at 7:30 AM

      It's a unique TV market, with the population spread out very far from the urban core(s).

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 4, 2017 at 7:45 AM

    Montreal won't be getting a team. You can take that to the bank. Per the FieldofSchemes site: "Montreal all set to get new Expos — oh wait, false alarm, never mind.".....Just because 100 people or so in Montreal would like another team, does not mean they will be getting one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaveApril 4, 2017 at 5:46 PM

      Yawn....with a Capital Y

      Delete
    2. AnonymousApril 5, 2017 at 8:47 AM

      I'm "yawning" at the thought of people from Montreal, posting about getting an MLB team. They won't be getting one. I just "yawned" again.

      Delete

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