The Buccaneers “plan to meet with the Tampa Sports Authority next week” to discuss a “sweeping renovation” of Raymond James Stadium, a project that is expected to carry a price tag “approaching” $1B, according to Stroud & Wright of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The Bucs have “talked openly” about the fact that their 28-year-old NFL stadium “will need major renovations soon.” To this point, those discussions have “remained internal.” But with the Rays trying to find public and private financing for at least half of a proposed $2.3B ballpark, the Bucs believe that “the time has come to make the TSA aware of their needs to remain” at Raymond James Stadium. The Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, has said that they “need renovations to also help attract major events such as a Super Bowl and college football national championship game.” The Bucs have 10 months (on or before Jan. 31, 2027) to extend their lease for five more years. More than $160M was invested in stadium renovations between 2016-18, “most by the Glazer family.” The Bucs would have to “secure an alternate site to play their home games whenever the renovation commences.” It is “likely” that Camping World Stadium would be the “preferred site” for the team as well. The Bucs also “want to create a mixed-use development” near Raymond James Stadium (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/1).
