Coming Months Will Tell A Lot About Bucs
January 21st, 2010
A lot of Bucs fans are grumbling — and not so much under their breath — that Bryan and Joel’s English kickball team is syphoning funds from the Bucs, thereby forcing the Bucs payroll to remain among the lowest in the NFL.
Joe has read the stories about the debt incurred on the English kickball team. Like most fans, this piques Joe’s interest.
In a recent question-and-answer session on TBO.com, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune fielded a query from a Bucs fan asking if there is any cause and effect to the red ink the English kickball team is swimming in, and the tight purse strings on the Bucs payroll.
Q: I read on Bloomberg.com the Glazers are trying to sell bonds backed by the Manchester United club to payoff their personal debts related to the acquisition of the ManU club. The article implies their bond offer is not very attractive to the market. It also says they are on personally hook for about $330 million in the ManU deal. At what point do Bucs fans consider the Glazers too broke to properly run this team? Is it realistic they will spend their cap next season and sign the 3rd pick? Is this Hugh Culverhouse all over again?
Hank Jibaja, Orlando
A: Your concerns about the Glazers are shared by a growing segment of the Buc fan base. If 2010 is an uncapped year, there will be no ceiling for NFL teams in terms of spending — and there will be no floor. All eyes will be on ownership in the offseason, looking for more of a financial commitment toward a competitive roster. The Bucs need help in a lot of areas and freeing up GM Mark Dominik to spend wisely is a key part of the rebuilding process. Freezing ticket prices, in itself, won’t galvanize Buc supporters to feel excited about this franchise. Comparing the Glazers to Hugh Culverhouse is a major stretch, but Buc fans are watching every move ownership makes.
— eye-RAH! Kaufman
Joe is of the belief that Bryan and Joel, like most NFL owners, are being stingy if not hording cash as a preemptive strike of sorts with the very real possibility that there will be no NFL football in 2011.
The looming labor stoppage likely has as much to do with the limited funds spent on payroll as the English kickball team’s debt.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Two thoughts
1. I thought the sale of bonds was designed to free them of financial difficulties.
2. I thought the NFL’s TV deals meant the owners still had a bushel of cash still coming in.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:04 pm
It’s becoming more obvious the Glazerhouse’s are seriously cash strapped. I don’t think they have enough cash to adequately operate either franchise. And, if push comes to shove, they’d spend money on Man U before the Bucs because those UK fans will kill for their soccer team.
This off-season is going to be very disappointing due to the Glazerhouse’s cash problems. We’ve already been told there will be minimal changes to the coaching staff. Sounds like a hiring freeze to me. I doubt they’ll re-sign anybody, much less sign any UFA’s. I’ll also bet a large sum that they’ll trade down just to avoid paying big bucks for that 3rd overall pick.
Ira is right, comparing the Glazers to Culverhouse is a stretch — Culverhouse was better. He at least had the money and chose not to spend it. Maybe they’ll go bankrupt and be forced to sell the team to someone who can afford to proplery fund the team. Needless to say, the Glazerhouse’s won’t get ANY of my money until they start spending money on the Bucs.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
“Ira is right, comparing the Glazers to Culverhouse is a stretch — Culverhouse was better.”
You’re probably right 13 straight losing seasons is better than the Super Bowl and all the playoff teams and future Hall of Famers we have seen since the Glazers took over.
I’m not happy about the team right now either but that is about the most ridiculous statement i’ve ever read.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:55 pm
I’m not buying into the propaganda. So many folks are so quick to say how stupid and cheap the Glazers are, but those same folks are likely living paycheck to paycheck while the Glazers are billionaires. I’m pretty sure they know what they are doing. The Buccaneers franchise is a huge asset to them and I don’t believe they would be stupid enough to let it go down the tubes. They made the tough decsision to rebuild this year, and it was the right decision. Now we know what we have in our young players (not much) and I expect them to make huge strides this offseason in FA and the draft.
If they don’t spend anything this oofseason to improve this team, I will bow down and admit I was wrong….but right now I’m just not buying into the bullshit.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:37 pm
D-Money, OK, OK, I went a little overboard. But, I’m really pi$$ed that the team has gone down the drain since the Superbowl — especially since 2005 when it seems the cash dried up.
January 21st, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Agree with Louie. The Glazers have been horrible owners for about 4-5 years now. I am very fearful of this offseason. This team has so many holes to fill. If they decide to just rely on the draft, then next season will be even longer than this absolutely horrible season. If the Glazers can’t afford the team, then they should just sell for crying out loud. I am getting so sick and tired of the Glazers and their greedy miserly ways.