- Major NCAA events that the Tampa Bay area will be hosting over the next five years: 2023—Men’s Frozen Four and Women’s Volleyball Championship; 2025—Women’s Final Four; 2026—Men’s Basketball, 1st and 2nd rounds.
- “It’s novel, it’s unusual. If we can build a less expensive stadium that’s not covered and then ship the (Rays) up to Montreal for the rainy season, why not?’’—Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder.
- “We want Tampa.” Imagine, that was the chant from New York fans during a recent Yankees’ win over the Boston Red Sox. Humbling for the Bosox. Too bad.
- The NFL is making it clear that “taunting” will not be tolerated. Referees are being directed to strictly enforce the mandate, which includes automatic ejection for a second violation, plus fines and possible suspensions. Not everyone is in agreement. A lot of players and fans consider “taunting” an extension of “trash talk,” which is feisty showmanship that is part of psychological warfare. Teams have long tried to intimidate their opponents.
But here’s what the NFL doesn’t get. In the name of showing “enthusiasm,” players—often with pre-planned orchestration—are allowed to turn a game involving elite athletes into a cheap lounge act—with Network enablers.