Venue Detail
Tampa Bay Rays
Revenues From Sports Venues Pro Facilities Report
February, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays
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1 Tropicana Drive St. Petersburg, FL 33705-1706 Phone: 727-825-3137 Fax: 727-825-3300 URL: www.devilrays.com
Owner
Stuart Sternberg
League
Major League Baseball American League, Eastern
Venue
Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr, St. Petersburg, FL 33705-1706 Owner: City of St. Petersburg Managed by: Team Built: 1990 Capacity: 45,000 Permanent concession stands: 258 Concessionaire: Centerplate Suite caterer: Centerplate Soft drink: Pepsi Cola Beer: Anheuser-Busch InBev
Building sponsors
Clubs/Restaurants: Yes
Naming rights
Sold to: Tropicana Price: $30, 000,000 Term: 30 years Expires: 2028
Ticket prices
Season tickets range from $650 to $7,200 Single tickets range from $6.00 to $75.00
Attendance
2007 average attendance: 17,148 2008 average attendance: 22,370 2009 average attendance: 23,147
Luxury Suites
Quantity: 63 Term: 5 to 10 years Price: $60,000 to $140,000 Seats: 12 to 18 Includes: Tickets, parking. Party suite rate depends upon the event.
Club seats
Quantity: 3,600 Term: 1 to 1 years Price: $2,430 to $8,910 Includes: Tickets, restaurant, in-seat wait staff.
Financing
The stadium was originally built for $85 million using city general obligation bonds supported by a one percent county bed tax. The tourist development commission issued $62 million in bonds for stadium renovations. The new debt is supported by bed taxes, stadium revenue and city funds. Pct. public: 100
Tropicana Field was built to attract a baseball team to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. The venue is modeled after Brooklyn's Ebbets Field, with the exterior of the stadium expanded to include an enclosed promenade that has baseball-themed shops. The Devil Rays have a lease to play at the venue through 2027.
The Rays have developed a plan to build a $450 million ballpark, but the economy and politics among area communities is proving to be problematic.
The Rays of have said they want to remain in the St. Petersburg area, but tax money from the region may be needed to finance the ballpark. That has led other communities to suggest they should be the place to build the venue.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce said it is considering getting more involved in the debate.
Bob Rohrlack, the chamber's chief executive officer, said the business organization had a leadership summit and some board members wanted to make the stadium issue a priority for 2011.
The chamber would study how ballparks can be built without relying on new taxes, he said. But the chamber is trying hard to avoid controversy. Rohrlack insisted the chamber isn't trying to lure the Rays to Tampa, and it won't touch the subject of a new ballpark's location.
The chamber wants to do a broad look at venues that would include all sports, not just baseball.
The Tampa Sports Authority has included a potential ballpark in its long-range plans, just in case the team works out its contract issues at Tropicana Field and wants to look at Tampa. The authority operates Raymond James Stadium.
The Rays have stayed out of the location debate, stressing their need for a new ballpark and the desire to work with the community on the issue.
In 2003 the venue added Kanes Club, a VIP seating section with theater seating closer to home plate than the pitcher. A food and beverage buffet is included, as is a private entrance. Prices approach $9,000 per ticket.
Closed in 1996 for a $70 million renovation, the revamped facility was used for the first time in 1998 when the Devil Rays began play. The team is paying for nearly $14 million of the renovation work.
The current stadium features an outfield spa that holds 10 persons and leases for $350 per person; the Grove party suite holds 16 to 48 persons and leases for $1,600 to $3,600. Home plate box seats are available for $160 per game or $12,150 a year. The Batter's Eye Party Deck holds 50 to 100 persons and leases for $50 per person.
The number of points of sales has been tripled to nearly 260. A cigar bar features a cigar sold only at the ballpark. As the result of a naming rights deal with Tropicana, the fabric roof of the stadium is illuminated orange in the evening. The official stadium logo uses the Tropicana brand script topped by an orange dome in the shape of an orange. (Baseball, Facilities, Financial, MLBVenueReport, Professional Sports)