Photo via Toronto Raptors/Facebook
Tampa Bay got to test drive an NBA team when the Toronto Raptors went on vacation here.
Sure, Orlando has a team less than two hours aways. But that doesn't stop places like California with four teams, including two in the same stadium, plus New York with two teams very close.
With the growth in population in the Bay area in the past few years, mixed with this area's love for sports and its the championship mentality, this should be a serious topic on the table. The revenue recognition and excitement that an NBA team brings to a city is second to none. Plus, we got a test run when the Toronto Raptors went on vacation here.
What Tampa needs to make this happen is enough interest from locals, maybe even a petition to go around to see how much support this idea has. After that we need a plan that does not increase taxes to build a stadium for the Tampa TruElite (that’s the NBA team name I came up with). Maybe put it in St. Pete since Bucs & Lightning are already in Tampa; St. Pete could host Rays & TruElite.
But I say as a community we should start taking steps to make this a reality. We know the NBA is always looking to expand its brand especially internationally, and Florida is one of the most culturally diverse states in the country! So why not us!??—SheRonn Hooks, Field Manager at WTS
To commemorate the leap year, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay asked readers and local leaders to chime in on what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place in four years. These are some of the results of the "What Tampa Bay Needs" survey.
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