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Tampa Sports Authority Background

Although the Tampa Sports Authority's goals and mission statement are essentially the same thirty years after its creation, the scope of the TSA's involvement in various projects is constantly expanding.

Tampa Stadium was constructed by the Authority with the financial assistance of Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa. Since the original stadium was completed in 1967, the Tampa Sports Authority has operated the stadium, the former Al Lopez Field, a baseball training complex for the Cincinnati Reds and subsequently the New York Yankees , and miscellaneous other adjacent facilities and properties located on a 134 acre site.

As part of the initiative to obtain an expansion National Football League franchise and upon granting of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise, the TSA pursued significant stadium improvements which were completed in 1977.

Between 1974 and 1978, the TSA took over operations and management of three different golf courses which are owned by the City of Tampa. These courses include Babe Zaharias Golf Course, Rogers Park Golf Course and Rocky Point Golf Course. With the exception of a management fee, all of the operating revenue is reinvested in the golf courses.

The Tampa Sports Authority has hosted three NFL Super Bowls. Tampa Stadium was host to Super Bowl XVIII in 1984 and Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Raymond James Stadium was host for Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001.

The TSA and the stadium have hosted numerous sports and entertainment events and activities over the years, including the USFL Tampa Bay Bandits (1983-1985), the USFL championship in 1984, the Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975-1993), the NFL Pro Bowl in 1978, and more than 390 concerts, sporting attractions and community events.

In 1991, the Tampa Bay area was awarded a National Hockey League Franchise, the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a lengthy process, the team chose to build a new arena in downtown Tampa. The TSA played an important role in facilitating the construction of this arena by serving as a conduit for the public financing portion of the facility. The TSA owned the St. Pete Times Forum until Dec. 30, 2004, when it conveyed ownership to Hillsborough County. The Tampa Bay Lightning manage and operate the facility.

In 1994, the TSA took a role in assisting in the construction process of the New York Yankees training facility and related facilities, located directly across Dale Mabry Highway from the stadium. Legends Field and associated spring training facilities opened in 1996 and serve as a training facility and playing field for the New York Yankees and its minor league affiliates.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were sold in early 1995 and new ownership expressed the necessity for a new stadium. The TSA played a active role in the development and construction of the new Raymond James Stadium to ensure that the Buccaneers remained in the Tampa Bay area. The TSA has managed the new stadium following its opening Sept. 20, 1998.

The stadium also hosted a Major League Soccer franchise, the Tampa Bay Mutiny until they it was folded in February 2001. The TSA was instrumental in bringing the franchise to the Tampa Bay area and also creating the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. In addition, the stadium serves as home field for the University of South Florida football program.