What makes you think Montreal would draw 25000, to 30,000 grand a game now? They had a team and didn't support it. Now everything has changed? I agree, building them a new stadium in Tampa (where it looks like it is going), is not going to help much. Sure, in the first year or two they will draw people, but the novelty will wear off and they won't draw. Sternberg bought the team for 250 Mill, now it is worth a Billion. So he is sitting pretty. Just a matter now how much the Rays want to kick in for a new stadium. I've always wondered what is preventing Sternberg from either selling the team or moving it? (besides a stadium contract with the Trop) Am I the only person that thinks a MLB team in Vegas would be a no brainer?
At this point in Vegas they would be the third pro team in. They would have to build a dome stadium. I just don't think there is enough interest to draw the amount of fans needed to succeed. Montreal did draw well. They had that horrible Olympic Stadium as a baseball field. The bottom line is they would draw more fans than in Tampa. I know Tropicana Field is a dump but with all the retirees there they can't put 20,000 in the stadium. They have a team that is fighting tooth and nail with two of the best teams in baseball. The lease with Tropicana Field is ridiculous. I think it goes to 2026. The two biggest headaches for the Commissioner are Oakland Coliseum and Tropicana Field. I think Oakland is going to build a new stadium especially with the Raiders leaving and the Warriors moving to San Francisco. If Tampa was in the playoffs no one in American League would want to face them.
Well, right off the bat, the Rays are in the worst division to be in as far as competition. They Yankees and Red Sox are both still somewhat young, and they can spend twice as much as the Rays easy. (if not more). The only positive is the Rays can draw all the Boston and New York fans when they come to town. (as far as being good for the management). Yea, I know the Rays made the World Series in 2008, but that was with supreme drafting and managing. They already have the spot picked out in Tampa for the new stadium, right by Ybor City. I don't think the city of St. Petersburg even cares anymore if they leave. Supposedly, that land where the Trop sits will be one of the most valuable pieces of property in the nation when it opens up. So now, all it comes down to is who is going to pay for the new stadium in Tampa. I think the Rays threw out a number of 200 mill they will kick in but it will cost at least 850 mill to build. I'm pretty sure Tampa is going to come up with some creative way to get the money and get the stadium built.
