Roger Goodell stated publicly recently that the Buccaneers have hinted that playing annually in London is something they would be very interested in. The reaction when the latest game being played in London was announced was decidedly negative so I think it’s a safe assumption to say Bucnation will not be pleased with this latest news.
As a lifelong fan and a long time season ticket holder I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed also. Taking away any games let alone a home game from passionate supporters, well it sucks. There is nothing like the game day experience on a football Sunday at Ray jay. I’d love to go on a long tangent about how the Glazers and the Buccaneers are making a huge mistake and that its completely unfair to the people who actually do attend games all the time but I must admit I do understand there logic behind the move. The only huge downside I really see besides fans missing there team live and in action is the economic impact it will have on vendors, parking attendants, and local bars and restaurants. Losing a game every year for the near future has to take a bit of a toll on all those things and that’s extremely disappointing.
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I’m sure the Bucs thinking is that the exposure given to the team will create more opportunities at getting on primetime games such as Monday, Sunday, and Thursday night football. It’s hard to argue with that logic considering RayJay’s only sell out in the last year and half came on our latest Monday night game. Clearly the Tampa area is having economic issues and trouble supporting its pro teams even if the Lightning as of late have started to turn a corner in that department. It may be hard to swallow for many of Bucnation but for the long term good of this team, area, and franchise, maybe playing in London annually for the next few years isn’t such a bad idea. More casual fans and not just Bucs fans need to see more of josh Freeman and Gerald McCoy. They need more catch more hurdles by Blount or more sacks by Clayborn. I’m of the belief that a huge reason for the Bucs attendance issues is because most of the football fans in Tampa are either casual fans or fans of another team and they for so long were attached to iconic players such as Derrick Brooks and John Lynch. Those iconic players got causal fans off their couches and in the stadium. This young team has to find a way to market the great players we have now and show Tampa and the country that we definitely do have some new iconic players worth getting excited about and what better way than to have this team in a big prime time like game in London every year. It hurts to lose a Sunday at Raymond James but for me it’s hard to argue with the thinking of the Buccaneers on this one.
-Steven Thompson
Editor’s Note: Hard to argue with that logic Steven, I can’t deny I enjoy hearing the Bucs on ESPN and NFL Network all week long, its nice being the center of attention, and I even think I’m starting to enjoy feeling very smart the more I hear people say the Glazers are going to move the team to the UK! One look at Trafalga Square and you’ll see over 20 different team jerseys. Yes the Bucs UK with Paul Stewart and Phil Jones are the biggest fan club, but they are certanly not the only one. UK sports fans are lifelong dedicated ones, they dont have too many bandwagoners like we do here. The Bucs should do it as long as it takes until Raymond James Stadium starts selling out on a consistant basis. In the meantime, as a fan, as a Player, enjoy the Limelight.
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