Bullish attendance eases tax burden

By BILL VARIAN and JOHN MARTIN, Times Staff Writers
Published October 16, 2007

The Bulls have sold out the last two home games, against West Virginia and Central Florida, since making an unexpected appearance in college football's national rankings.
	[Brian Cassella | Times]

TAMPA - Sold-out USF Bulls football games at Raymond James Stadium could spell good news for taxpayers - modestly.

The swollen crowds mean more money than expected flows to the government agency that runs Raymond James Stadium in the form of parking and concession collections. That helps offset the roughly $3-million a year local taxpayers spend to subsidize the Tampa Sports Authority.

"Look what winning does," said Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman, who sits on the authority.

USF plays its home games at Raymond James, seldom filling half the stadium in past years. But the Bulls have sold out the last two home games since making an unexpected appearance in college football's national rankings.

Raymond James is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Bucs, for whom the stadium was built. Legal agreements entitle the team to all revenue from events not related to them, up to $2-million. The Sports Authority shares in any extra.

So far this contract year, the Sports Authority has taken in $1.2-million - largely thanks to the Bulls' crowds - and expects to surpass $2-million, said Mickey Farrell, its director of operations. He wouldn't venture how much more.

Last year, the Sports Authority cleared the $2-million threshold for the first time - by about $30,000 - netting the agency half of that.

[Last modified October 15, 2007, 23:13:46]