Rays New Stadium

[deuce]

They don't need to double and the current trajectory favors it. According to Sports Journal Business, the Rays are already averaging 18,255 and have experienced a YOY increase of 29.1%, which is among the top half-dozen of teams in MLB. At their current pace, they'll finish with their best annual attendance in a decade.

I don't think it's a major stretch to imagine an average figure around 30k with a new park.

So, to average around 30k, you would have to have many games +30 to average out the -30 games. I don't think that's possible if the seating is capped at 30k. Just a thought...... I don't care because I'm not going to any games, wouldn't go if they were in Tampa either.

Am I the only one who was put off by the news conference? Seemed like just a bunch of rich people and politicians patting themselves on the back for taking over 10 years to make a decision that isn't even final.

 

[Born2beagator]

So, to average around 30k, you would have to have many games +30 to average out the -30 games. I don't think that's possible if the seating is capped at 30k. Just a thought...... I don't care because I'm not going to any games, wouldn't go if they were in Tampa either.

Am I the only one who was put off by the news conference? Seemed like just a bunch of rich people and politicians patting themselves on the back for taking over 10 years to make a decision that isn't even final.

People seem to have forgotten stu's split year plan

 

[Alumni Guy]

This crappy stadium in its crappy location is the result of red tape and greed. The location in channelside would have been great. Downtown view, near all the bars and activity that just built up: would have helped Ybor, which needs some help, etc.

Heck, the dog track of 275 in the hood would probably be better.

Instead, we get this recycled turd. Hope it gets shot down.

 

[Double Gator Dad]

I don't want any of my money paying for this corporate welfare. I'm glad it didn't come to Hillsborough County.

I said the same thing about Raymond James stadium when it was being built but the Tampa goobers love they fuutball and rubber stamped a half a billion for it.

 

[Double Gator Dad]

So, to average around 30k, you would have to have many games +30 to average out the -30 games. I don't think that's possible if the seating is capped at 30k. Just a thought...... I don't care because I'm not going to any games, wouldn't go if they were in Tampa either.

Am I the only one who was put off by the news conference? Seemed like just a bunch of rich people and politicians patting themselves on the back for taking over 10 years to make a decision that isn't even final.

That’s exactly what the press conference was yesterday. It included a mayor who has been in office for like a week congratulating himself as if he had fought for this for a decade.

 

[soflagator]

I hear they are considering "soflagator is a closeted homosexual" it's long and tedious to say but it has work shopped really well

I gave this a pity like just so it didn’t seem so embarrassing. You’re still Top-5 Orlando area posters with 3 or more capital letters in their name though.

 

[URGatorBait]

I gave this a pity like just so it didn’t seem so embarrassing. You’re still Top-5 Orlando area posters with 3 or more capital letters in their name though.

 

[Theologator]

They don't need to double and the current trajectory favors it. According to Sports Journal Business, the Rays are already averaging 18,255 and have experienced a YOY increase of 29.1%, which is among the top half-dozen of teams in MLB. At their current pace, they'll finish with their best annual attendance in a decade.

I don't think it's a major stretch to imagine an average figure around 30k with a new park.

Good stat. I’m sure that’s their plan. I like the Rays and wish they were closer. I also wish they and the Lightning were on something other than Bally, but that’s another matter.

The Marlins got a big bump in their new park the first year and attendance was still better for another 5 years or so, but has since slid to worse than their old digs. But they are terrible. The Rays are the best-run franchise in baseball, given their payroll etc. They'll need to sustain that excellence, as they have.

 

[Gatorphan]

I gave this a pity like just so it didn’t seem so embarrassing. You’re still Top-5 Orlando area posters with 3 or more capital letters in their name though.

Again you're being generous....Top 10 would be a reach.

 

[Lurker]

I said the same thing about Raymond James stadium when it was being built but the Tampa goobers love they fuutball and rubber stamped a half a billion for it.

Ray Jay was incredibly inexpensive by today's standards. I thought the construction cost was well below $200 million. But maybe that didn't include other expenses, like a practice facility, land, etc.

 

[78]

This crappy stadium in its crappy location is the result of red tape and greed. The location in channelside would have been great. Downtown view, near all the bars and activity that just built up: would have helped Ybor, which needs some help, etc.

Heck, the dog track of 275 in the hood would probably be better.

Instead, we get this recycled turd. Hope it gets shot down.

Maybe I need some clarification of the Ybor area that was in play. The land between Ybor and Channelside that I'm aware of is really no better than the Historic Gas Plant site. They're both blighted areas. What makes it that much better? Because it's close to Channelside? That area is overrated IMO. It's overdeveloped and really not all that attractive.

 

[Alumni Guy]

Maybe I need some clarification of the Ybor area that was in play. The land between Ybor and Channelside that I'm aware of is really no better than the Historic Gas Plant site. They're both blighted areas. What makes it that much better? Because it's close to Channelside? That area is overrated IMO. It's overdeveloped and really not all that attractive.

There was a plan to put it in that area: don’t remember exactly where.

Channelside is cheezy as can be, but at least there’s stuff to do. Ybor is a quick trolly ride away and over time channelside and Ybor will probably become one large gentrified live/work/play developers wet dream.

Better than central St. Pete.

 

[URGatorBait]

Again you're being generous....Top 10 would be a reach.

If your RV catches fire...it wasn't me

 

[aka]

Will they keep the Rays name despite being an hour and a half from the coast? Or do they switch it up and go with something more local like the “Aquatica’s” or “Neck Tats”?

The Tampa Bay Swallows?

 

[Theologator]

I still will rarely go. Driving from lakeland to st Pete isn't fun

Have you tried going 37 south to 62 then west to I-75 briefly then the Sunshine Skyway? A little farther but much more pleasant and a time saver if Tampa traffic is bad.

 

[Gatorphan]

If your RV catches fire...it wasn't me

It’s seen worse

 

[Double Gator Dad]

Ray Jay was incredibly inexpensive by today's standards. I thought the construction cost was well below $200 million. But maybe that didn't include other expenses, like a practice facility, land, etc.

The total bill was close to 400 million which is very inexpensive today but it wasn’t in 1999 when it was approved.
The issue for me is not whether the cost is relatively low or high but why taxpayers fund a multibillion dollar industry and then toss the keys to a billion dollar owner so he garners all the profits for every use of the venue.

I know I am in the minority here but there is no justification for this at all and it gets worse each year.

I will shut up now.

 

[MidwestChomp]

When I read the thread title I was wondering who Ray was.

Finkle...apparently still in jail.

 

[MidwestChomp]

I’m thinking the attendance will improve temporarily due to the novelty, but what happens when that novelty wears off?

The traffic issue is no joke. I live in New Tampa, and it took me a good 2 hours+ getting back home after a matinee game (hell it takes me less time to go to Gainesville). Can’t go to as many games as I’d like, but if the alternative is the team moving to Montreal, then keep them in St Pete. Whatevs.

Could always move the Rays to San Juan part time like the Expos did for a year or so.

 

[stephenPE]

I can see why all that slow traffic coming and going to the slowest damned game in the world is a losing cause. I have noticed it has sped up this year............it has passed paint drying as my 4th favorite activity...........