The Tampa Bay Rays Strike Out On Sports Subsidy

The St.Petersburg Times questioned 11 members of the Pinellas County delegation ansked if they would support a $60 million subsidy for the Tampa Bay Rays. The answer was a resounding no.

"Put me down as a no. Not a maybe. A no."

Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island

"Do you think they're going to get another $60-million in today's tax environment?I'm speculating no."

Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater

"They're going to have to have a great story. And a winning team would be good, too."

Rep. Janet Long, D-Seminole

The Times reports that the Rays have given up on the subsidy. Florida sports franchises usually can get subsidies approved with little hassle. The budget crunch and the fact that the Rays one of the worst teams in professional sports doesn't help matters. It's hard for me to imagine the Rays will have better luck trying to convince voters to pay for a $450 million stadium.