June 10, 2004

Selig stadium-demand tour hits Tampa Bay

Add the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the list of teams with relatively new stadiums that could be preparing to get back on line to ask for another. During a visit to the Rays' Tropicana Field (built 1990, renovated 1998, total public cost $136 million), MLB overlord Bud Selig proclaimed that the team will "eventually" need a new stadium. "People say, well, new stadiums are not the panacea," said Selig. "They are not the panacea. But there are some cities, for example take Detroit, they couldn't continue in Tiger Stadium. At least [the new stadium] gives them a lot more revenue to be competitive."

Interestingly, Rays owner Vince Naimoli was less enthusiastic about the prospect of a new home, saying only that "I think in the future it is a consideration" and "it's not something which is on our radar screen at the moment." Probably a good plan, seeing as that his team has another 23 years remaining on its lease at the Trop - though that didn't stop the Tigers.