Super Bowl Chances For Tampa Dwindling
May 1st, 2013The “Pantheon” design of the new Dixie Chicks dome. When finished, it will further damage Tampa’s chances of regaining a Super Bowl game.
Joe has written about this several times before, mostly because it deals with the Tampa Bay community, though not so much with the Bucs.
Yesterday, plans and models were released for the new Dixie Chicks stadium in Atlanta. There are two models, one of which is called “Pantheon,” which looks absolutely spectacular. The images and plans can be downloaded here.
There were some features involved in the new stadium that Joe has harped on as ones that need to happen at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
Joe knows there are several local fans who have been to Jags games. The stadium in Jacksonville itself is, well, meh. But the tailgating on concrete (much of which under the shade of interstate overpasses), and not eating dust all day long along, with the option of tailgating at Jacksonville Landing and taking a boat to a game, and the “Bud Zone,” makes for a great way to take in a game; best in Florida.
The “Bud Zone” is a sports bar in the end zone of the stadium (is it still called “The Gator Bowl?) where fans can not only watch the game in air conditioning, but if the game gets out of hand or there are breaks in the game, fans can watch other games on the bar’s many TV sets.
Well, if the plans for the Dixie Chick stadium come true, that stadium will feature a “Fantasy Football Lounge,” which looks like a cross between the TV set up at Hooters combined with the trading floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It. Is. Impressive.
Why the Tampa Sports Authority cannot construct a sports bar — and no, a kiosk on a wooden patio deck in the end zone does not count — at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, Joe cannot explain.
Other proposed features of the new Dixie Chicks stadium are seats just like modern movie theater seats, which will shake when there’s a big hi on the field, and something right up Joe’s alley, “the 100-Yard Bar,” a cocktail bar that runs the length of the field where patrons can see the whole field without leaving.
Artie Blank, who owns the Dixie Chicks, knows that more and more (as Joe has pointed out countless times) fans are choosing to stay home and watch games rather than head to the stadium, which sometimes lags far behind the at-home experience.
The new gizmos and bells and whistles at the new Dixie Chicks stadium are just an extension of the gaudy features at JerryWorld. Teams have to give fans a reason to come: the game alone doesn’t do it any longer.
Why is Joe writing about this? Well, once this Dixie Chicks stadium is built, look for it to join a regular rotation of Super Bowl sites including New Orleans, Arizona, Indianapolis, and big improvements are on the way in Charlotte.
Additionally, every time a new stadium is built, it gets a Super Bowl. That’s why New Jersey has one this winter (and we should all cross our fingers for a blizzard for the ages at that time). San Francisco and Minneapolis will have new stadiums soon, and if St. Louis wants to keep the Rams, they will have to undergo either a massive renovation to a building that is only three years older than the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, or build a brand new dome to keep the Rams. All these cities likely will get a Super Bowl before Tampa Bay.
Not to be forgotten, the Dolphins were told by the NFL that unless they upgrade Whatever-The-Hell-That-Stadium-Is-Named-These-Days, Miami will not get another Super Bowl. Steve Ross, owner of the ‘Phins, is trying to obtain financing as Joe types this.
Another Super Bowl in Tampa Bay? Sure looks like a long, long way off.
That could change, however. The Tampa Sports Authority better get with it for that to happen and upgrade the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, at least the upgrades that were included in the voter-approved referendum to build the stadium.
Otherwise, it may be a generation before another Super Bowl is held in Tampa.
May 1st, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Who cares anymore? With dwindling attendance, low paying jobs or no jobs we can’t afford to keep up with the Blancs anymore. If the Super Bowl selection committee wants to punish us for having a 10 year old stadium, then so be it. If the area companies benefit so much from the proceeds of hosting a Super Bowl, then let them build a new stadium.
It does not benefit me so I be damned if I want my taxes to pay for another stadium cause the rich guys no longer like ours. Tough.. our stadium is just fine.
May 1st, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Renovations would be funded either through a tax increase or a ticket price increase. I’d rather have cheaper tickets and lower taxes than a one time boost to the local economy.
May 1st, 2013 at 2:29 pm
I love the idea of adding bars and indoor seating areas where you can see the game, but also watch other games playing live. I keep telling my friends that if a stadium was set up with only lower level seating and then were completely surrounded up top by restaurants and bars that allowed you to eat, drink and play during the game and also see the live game that it would bring in more fans. Traditionalist may hate this idea but times have changed……in-home entertainment is just getting better and fantasy football is a million dollar industry. Sitting in a plastic seat for 3hrs in the heat isn’t as appealing as is once was. The restaurants and bars could be open before and after the game increasing revenues for both the vendors and the team. Also, the team could sell space to these restaurants for location around the field. This would help lower cost for not on the owners but the people in the city is a new penny tax was enacted. An NFL stadium needs to be more than just a stadium, it needs to be a “cool” place to go to on the weekends to watch the games live and still have the social feeling that is ever growing in today’s modern society.
May 1st, 2013 at 2:40 pm
I’d prefer the Glazers and staff concentrate on getting the Bucs to the playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl, rather than worry about the nonsense that goes into hosting a Super Bowl.
May 1st, 2013 at 3:11 pm
I could have sworn the Bucs were among the top two choices for the Superbowl in the decision rendered this year…just a week ago I believe?
I think Tampa is at least 5-6 years away from having any issues.
And as far as the Dixie Chicks stadium…it ain’t built yet…and if a good ways off.
May 1st, 2013 at 3:12 pm
And by then we’ll have a couple Superbowl appearances.
May 1st, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai,
Last week’s decision was for the College Football National Championship game.
May 1st, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Despite a few coats of paint here and there, RJS does need a little more than just cosmetic touches. I think of Citi Field in NY (yes, I know it’s baseball). But the thng has a museum, tributes, sports bars… there’s even a bridge in the outfield that you can stand on and watch the game. I think they could do some really slick renovations. I remember when the Tampa Bay Storm had a hot tub ON THE FIELD.
I also hate the fact that the red seats fade to pink.
May 1st, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Tampa has hosted the fourth most Super Bowls of any city in America, so theres that.
In addition it was 8 years between the last 2 Super Bowls Tampa hosted and you have to go 10 years back to get to the next one. I will only start worrying if Tampa doesn’t get 51 or 52.
May 1st, 2013 at 4:57 pm
You people have lost your minds. Look around at what’s going on in this community, state, and country. Jobs folks, there aren’t any. Our entire financial institution is a house of cards. Keep worrying about financing a bar at a football stadium with tax dollars…omg!
May 1st, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Honestly, the only renovation I would like to see is on the seats. Give up 5000 seats to give us wider more comfortable seats. We’re packed in like sardines in hot weather. Forsake a few seats and make us more comfortable.
May 1st, 2013 at 5:24 pm
What a sweet stadium wasted on a bunch of ghetto trash.
May 1st, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Actually, I’m pretty sure energizing the stadium would open up a bunch of jobs at the stadium and in the city since the city, and the state in general, loves tourism. But yea, lets not do anything. Doing nothing always fixes things.
May 1st, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Joe, I agree. The first time I went to a Jags game, I said that the end zone sports bar is exactly what they needed to do at the Bucs stadium. I don’t see why they can’t build an air conditioned sports bar on the opposite side of the ship. It would be nice place to hang out for those who can’t afford the premium seats.
May 1st, 2013 at 7:52 pm
A bunch of jobs working 10 days a year? Yeah, that would change lives!!!
May 1st, 2013 at 10:03 pm
4everBucsFan Says:
“Honestly, the only renovation I would like to see is on the seats. Give up 5000 seats to give us wider more comfortable seats. We’re packed in like sardines in hot weather. Forsake a few seats and make us more comfortable.”
They put in recliners and spill proof cups, and I won’t miss a single home game.
May 1st, 2013 at 10:26 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai said,
“They put in recliners and spill proof cups, and I won’t miss a single home game.”
That’s what I’m talkin’ about. …. 🙂
May 1st, 2013 at 10:50 pm
NoTrepidation44 :
I don’t see why they can’t build an air conditioned sports bar on the opposite side of the ship. It would be nice place to hang out for those who can’t afford the premium seats.
Bingo!
May 2nd, 2013 at 1:11 am
@Snook
The stadium is used far more than 10 times a year. The Stadium hosts college football games (some of which are bowl games), high school football games, concerts, the traditional monster truck rallies, and more. Improving it only makes it a more desirable attraction to local residents and visitors alike, meaning more revenue for businesses big and small spreading from the stadium itself outwards.
May 2nd, 2013 at 4:29 am
TBH I consider it a non issue whether Tampa hosts a superbowl. Yeah it might be good for the community, but it’s also a collossal headache for the community and it is irrelevant when we are not even contenders.
May 2nd, 2013 at 6:54 am
@Stranger
Improving the stadium is not the issue. The stadium will always require upgrades but to demolish the existing structure to build anew is absurd.
May 2nd, 2013 at 9:49 am
BS on the jobs crap. the blue collar jobs are out there. Everywhere I go I see help wanted signs. NONE should be up. It’s the white collar jobs that are low. The kids that come out of college now think they should start at $100,000.00 a year. It pays better to work the system if your a white collar worker than take a blue collar job to feed your family.
May 2nd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Didn’t we nearly ripped away the Super Bowl bid from a strong NY/NJ and scared the daylights out of them without renovations several years ago?