Gimme one reason to stay here
Buccaneer season ticket holders beware: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not have a winning season this year. Or next year. They may be horrible – seriously horrible - until 2008. They may get rid of every player you have come to love and enjoy watching on the field. They may go out and pick up free agents with questionable character, and questionable abilities. Hell, they might not even spend up to the salary cap. And they don’t care what you think about it. But you should continue to buy your season tickets.
Doesn’t make sense? If the Bucs don’t care what the fans think, why should we continue buying season tickets year after year? I’ll give you a reason. Actually, I’ll give you 22 million reasons to keep buying them. In October 1995, I purchased two Charter Seat Deposits for the right to purchase tickets to the Bucs games in the new stadium. According to the agreement, I must purchase Buccaneers season tickets for ten years, or forfeit my money. For each of the first nine years I would get 5% back from my deposit. In the tenth year, I would get the remainder (55%). Every year, I have received a check for 5% of my original deposit shortly after purchasing the season tickets, including the upcoming 2004 season. In March of 2007, I will pay for my season tickets, as normal, and I should get a check from the Bucs for the remaining 55%. And so should the other 64,999 people who currently buy season tickets.
The Raymond James Stadium opened in time for the 1998 season. The average ticket price then was $64.58. Assuming only 62,000 people remain due to attrition; the Bucs have been paying out $2,000,000 (5%) per year for the return of their seat deposit. In March of 2007, the Bucs should have to pay $22,021,780 (55%). My guess is that they would rather not have to let go of that money.
The Bucs don’t care about making the fans happy. The St. Pete Times agrees. Martin Fennelly agrees. I don’t think they care about how good a job their GM does. They don’t care how happy the players are with any particular coach. They don’t care about respecting any individual player’s wishes to remain a Buc for life. They care about money. And let me say this again: The Bucs do not care if every current season ticket holder cancels their tickets. They may prefer it.
Current season ticket holders: HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS. If you are disgusted with the moves that the organization has been making, and you wish NOT to renew your seats, find one of the 100,000 people on the waiting list, and privately sell the tickets to them. Or send me an email; I’ll help you find a buyer. I know… after the tenth year, for each seat you own, you’ll only be getting (average) $355.19 refunded per seat. However, should everyone renew each year, the Glazers will have to pay out the $22 MILLION dollars.
Tags: tampa
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