I have an idea for a new Rays stadium that may be better for Tampa Bay. (St. Petersburg: 2014, live)

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

There is no location here which would help the team. Location is not the major problem.

The Patriots play out in the middle of nowhere. Most people have to drive a good distance to get there, yet they sell out every game.

Football once a week, baseball is a different animal, last I checked the red Sox are in the middle of Boston.

[gypsychic]

Many people have made good points. I do also have to say that location is not the main problem. The stadium is just poor, I think a better quality one would help.

That said, I agree with the idea that it should be just north of Tampa U, add vibrancy to the city. This is where the old State Fairgrounds used to be, and it was a fabulous addition to downtown at the time. Not to mention, centrally located and close to everything. JMO

[dothetwist]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

There is no location here which would help the team. Location is not the major problem.

The Patriots play out in the middle of nowhere. Most people have to drive a good distance to get there, yet they sell out every game.

How many home games Patriots versus home games Rays? Answer: 8 home games in football compare to 81 bb home games every season.

Football is played on Sundays, almost exclusively while bb games are usually evening, weekdays.

Much harder to fill 10 times the number of season seats, bb v. football, especially when most are played on workdays.

[jambo101]

Maybe its time to just sell the team to a city that can put more butts in the seats.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Maybe its time to just sell the team to a city that can put more butts in the seats.

^ This. It's just too transient here.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by dothetwist

How many home games Patriots versus home games Rays? Answer: 8 home games in football compare to 81 bb home games every season.

Football is played on Sundays, almost exclusively while bb games are usually evening, weekdays.

Much harder to fill 10 times the number of season seats, bb v. football, especially when most are played on workdays.

Very valid points, but the current location, while not ideal, is nowhere close to what the real problem is.

[dothetwist]

Yes, perhaps the Rays need to find a larger city to saddle with all their issues. RARELY does a sports franchise work out financially well for anyone other than the team owner and league.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

There is no location here which would help the team. Location is not the major problem.

I agree. I actually think the current location is pretty good being so close to downtown St. Pete. The Trop is another story though. I'm not sure it would be worth the risk to build a new stadium given the attendance history.

Originally Posted by jambo101

Maybe its time to just sell the team to a city that can put more butts in the seats.

I think this has been talked about, iirc.

[theurbanfiles]

I think with the Bucs I'm not sure that location is that important relative to NFL stadiums . If anything, being in an urban setting may hurt attendance more since people may decide to not even go in if the team isn't in contention.

For baseball, I concur that location is important. There may be hope for TB yet , but they have to set them up with something that looks good. I think as far as stadiums/franchises go, I think they help to elevate the profile of a city in a way that isn't quite measurable on a national level. And a well placed stadium can make a difference within a downtown. Perfect proof of this would be Orlando with the Magic, Memphis with the Grizzlies and OKC with the Thunder.

I really really hope they do not move, as having an MLB (and NHL) team in Tampa is a major reason why the area in general closes the gap between Orlsndo and Tampa as places to live. When over here I will support both products.

[MAniacTHW]

There's a reason why the Lightning can sell out a stadium and the Rays can't... And it's all about location. For as empty as Channelside is, at least it's there after a game. After a Bucs or Rays game, well...