Lyash's coalition expanded to 11, not 9

Jeff Lyash, Progress Energy Florida CEO, has expanded his A Baseball Community group from 9 board members to 11.

Here are the other 10 members of the community group tapped to find the Tampa Bay Rays a new stadium:

• Alan Bomstein, president of Creative Contractors.
• Rick Davis, president of Bay Area Medical Supplies
• Barbara Heck, president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations
• Greg Johnson, president of the Pinellas County Urban League
• Russ Kimball, general manager of the Sheraton Sand Key Resort
• Judy Mitchell, president of Peter R. Brown Construction
• Steve Raymund, former CEO of Tech Data and former co-chairman of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce's baseball task force
• Craig Sher, president of Sembler Co.
• Bob Stewart, County Commission Chairman
• Chuck Sykes, CEO of Sykes Enterprises Inc

There will be at least three committees. Heck will lead the fan support group. Sykes will lead the corporate support group. Sher will lead the group on stadium sites.

Lyash is expected to reveal the board's membership to the Times editorial board at 2:30 p.m.

-- Cristina Silva, Times staff

Comments

[Steve]

This "committee" has already decided that the Rays need a new stadium. Shouldn't they first assess whether a new stadium is necessary? Just because a new stadium may be nice or preferred or wanted doesn't mean it is necessary. If public monies will be used (and of course they will), any search committee must first establish the need for a new facility. The decision has already been made here. This is a Potemkin search committee that is an insult both taxpayers, fans, and the majority who are both.

[Thomas]

So there's a Fan Support Group, a Corporate Support Group, and a Site Planning Group.

Looks like they forgot to include a "Who's Going to Pay For It Group"

Which is, once again, the most important issue of all.

We don't need a dozen people running around telling us what a great idea this whole thing is. We need a group of strong leaders who are going to create a plan that allows money made at the stadium to be used to pay for the stadium. We need to hear how the Rays are going to agree that Naming Rights, Suite Revenues, Concession Money, et al are going to be used to pay for construction.

Becuase if it's another one of those "public builds it; team keeps all the profits" deals - this plan is dead on arrival.

[colt]

Not one regular person out of the group. not one little league coach. how about a checker from Publix.

A bunch of catered to Yahoos who do not have a clue..

Let me know when you reach something in 2012!

[T]

I noticed that too Colt-these are MORE people who will sit in the airconditioned luxury suites with no cares about the "regular" fan sitting in the T-storm and 99% humidity. These are also the ones who will have a limo drop them off and not have to drive and fight traffic and search for 20 minutes for a parking space then hike 30 minutes to the gate like us regulars either.

[Arena & Stadium Expert]

These are all very successful business executives who have years of experience in public-private partnerships. I praise Mr. Lyash for selecting a group of individuals who understand the politics, tourism, and financial undertaking to market and build a new stadium in tough economic times.

[Carl]

Ok people, here is Business enterprises in sports 101. There are 2 kinds of owners. "A"-the owner that has a personal intrest in a team and it's success and is loyal and apreciative of the community where they are located. And "B"-the owner that can buy an under valued team that is struggling. Turn it around and then sell it for a huge profit (can you say Davidson Group). It would be easier for ol' Stew to sell the team with a new community built stadium. But he can still make a big profit selling it to another city that wants a team. Either way Just enjoy the success of this season and maybe another because this will eventualy turn bad because the community is'nt going to build a stadium for that team just because the one they are in is not "Tres' Chic."

[Thomas]

And now we have our anonymous "Expert"...

I always find it amusing when an "expert" posts without giving their name or credentials. The cyber world is curiously ripe with these self pronounced, yet anonymous, "experts".

Further, it is laugh out loud amusing to see our "expert" proclaim that Mr. Lyash has selected "a group of individuals who understand the politics, tourism, and financial undertaking to market and build a new stadium in tough economic times." No one on this list has been extensively involved in any new stadium planning. Not during tough economic times nor any other times for that matter.

It seems our "expert" is nothing more than a pro-stadium honk with a bunch of inaccurate praise and not enough courage to even post their name.

[Mike]

Whatever happened to a "regular Joe" being put on this group? I support a new stadium, somewhere, at some point, but I really wanted a more balanced group. I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose.

[Tim]

Hopefully, the vocal minority will finally be ignored and a new retractable roof stadium will be built in a location accessible to both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. St Pete really doesn’t deserve professional baseball anymore. They do not attend the games and the county is in declining growth. It is an aging population who only care about what is it in for them RIGHT NOW. They really do not care about how the community will be in 20 years and what financial benefits a successful professional franchise can bring to a city. They want another park built that is never used, except for a nice camping ground for the homeless. Maybe a new bingo hall or shuffle board court?? The same people who constantly complain about this rarely go to baseball games anyway and were probably the same fools who voted for Amendment 1. I hope you enjoy for $100 property tax savings and reduced police and fire patrol.

[Bob]

I wanted to be on that group...but my bank account was too small.

[Patrick]

I wanted to be on the board as well, but my bank account was empty after paying my Progress Energy electric bill......

[Lisa]

I wonder how many of those people go to Rays games now? They can all afford it.

It's obvious the average Jane/Joe was excluded from this committee, when really the average person is who will be burdened with the expense of a new stadium.

Maybe Sykes will outsource that too, since that his how he built his wealth.

[Embaressed]

Alright white haired belly achers get your signs out...your pathetic life has meaning again!

NO NEW (Insert Item Here)!!

WE LIKE EVERYTHING OLD AND BORING LIKE WE ARE.

(Clever Group Name Acronym Here).

Do us all a favor and MOVE!

[mo]

Putting the stadium in st pete would be a bad decision, heck they didnt want there in the first place, put it in tampa

[Joe 6 Pack]

I also would like to have been on the board, but I'm in jail for overdrawing my bank account to try and pay my (Lack of) Progress Energy bill AND my St. Pete city taxes. Anyone know a good bail bondsman?

[Greg]

I absolutely agree with Steve--the question should first be deciding if we NEED a new stadium, and the answer is clearly obvious--after a brief increase in attendance, people are bored, and attendance is down again. If people won't come to an indoor, air-conditioned stadium with adequate parking, they certainly aren't going to come to an open air stadium with completely inadequate parking. Stop this nonsense now.

[Village Idiot]

These comments are case #1 for moving the stadium and team to either Tampa or another city with a clue.

If you do not understand the pro's of a new professional stadium to the city's economy by now my little post isn't going to make a difference.

Tampa! Tampa! Tampa!

[Fan]

Greg - I think the answer as to whether we need a new stadium is obvious too - YES! Unless you don't want baseball in the Tampa Bay area, there has to be a new stadium. There is no way that Stu and the management team will keep the team here in a stadium that is not fun to watch a game in. They have obviously put effort into making the stadium a more fun place to go, but the fact is that baseball is not fun to watch in an indoor concrete dome. It is also clear that people from Hillsborough don't come that far into St. Pete. We need a new stadium in Tampa or closer to the bridge so people from Tampa can be there within 20 min. Otherwise, bye bye Rays.

[John]

At least the current stadium can double as a hurricane shelter for all the south st peters.

[Thomas]

I like Tim because he presents the most moronic argument of all. "St Pete really doesn’t deserve professional baseball anymore." Let's take a look at exactly how stupid that statement is.

1. St Pete built the Trop and gave the Rays a sweetheart lease deal.

2. Over the past decade the Rays have fielded the worst team in MLB - bar none.

3. While playing in a free stadium with a great lease and fielding the worst team in the league, the Rays charge $55 to sit in a box seat.

4. After you pay $55 to sit in a box seat, you may have the joy of spending $8 for a beer or $5 for a soda.

5. After all of this the Rays want to leave just 10 years into a 30 year commitment they signed.

So really Tim, who "deserves" what? The people of St. Pete have already paid hundreds of millions of dollars for a decade of AAA baseball. And now 5 months of actual competitive play and it's time for the public to repeat the cycle? I don't think so bud.

[kris]

I love having a winning baseball team, but hate the prospect of $500 million of public money going towards a stadium.

If it means loosing the Rays I'm fine with that. The money would be more well spent on the community, and not a sweaty outdoor venue.

In a state that has cut over $5 billion from its' budget, that is also in a recesion, it is so silly to propose spending that much money on an entertainment venue.

Spend the money on something to better the community.

[Amanda]

Thomas-
I'd like to expand on your assessment of Tim. He claims that St. Pete doesn't deserve the stadium because we don't support the team. However, it's the Tampa people who whine and moan about how they refuse to come here to St. Pete. And *we're* the ones who won't support the team? I believe St. Pete people are the majority attendees, since all I hear from Tampa is how they refuse to cross the bridge.
Note: This is not a slam against Tampa fans. I know there are quite a few of you who make the trip. I'm not saying the stadium should absolutely stay where it is, either. I'm just pointing out the idiocy of Tim's erroneous argument.

[Village Idiot]

Kris,
Money spent on a stadium IS money spent on the community...why can't some of these posters grasp this simple concept.

It's money spent on the community to establish a product that generates tax benefits for the community.

[Thomas]

Village Idiot,

The point is the stadium does not generate near enough to cover its construction and maintenance costs.

$450M can be spent in numerous other ways that would actually generate a return on the investment.

For reference of how stadiums don't improve surrounding area or economy please see "Field, Tropicana"

[New POWW member]

POWW and Fans for a Waterfront stadium representatives were excluded from the "coalition"?? It's mostly all corporate execs?? Not one single "regular Joe baseball fan/season ticket holder"??

That says it all.

Get your red signs back out folks...

I'm going to the game early tonight to cancel my deposit on 4 season tix for next year. And then I'm coming home to watch it on TV. I am done supporting the Rays and this absolute nonsense.

If only I could dump Progress Energy too, but hey, I'm at the mercy of their monopoly and 31% rate hikes.

[hammersmith]

I went to the game last night with my wife, we reminised about how we came to the ground breaking with our two young boys to enjoy Chuck Berry and the excitement of the possibility of a team. It was different times but I still believe the indoor stadium makes the most sense, ie. heat, humidity, lighting, bugs. As a man and woman who would like our grand kids to grow up in an area with a team, we believe the present stadium should be reworked again to make it a better experience. The economics of this area has not changed much and assuming it is not going to, we think a $100. night (what it cost us) out at the ballpark is about what the average resident can pay for a special occasion night. That means not every week. Anything that is done in the future to change that dynamic will surely price out your potential audience. People would love to come to games but the driving cost is also a factor for the long distance fans. Rework what you have here,the city, county, owner, should work on improving the area around the stadium to make it more family friendly. Recommendations: fill the creek up with boatable water, aqua scape the sides with walkways, amusements, resturants, curious shops, like the river walk at Austin, TX or Tradewinds resort or cover it like Gaylords Opryland. Family friendly experiences and pricing will keep people coming back 80 nights a year. The St. Pete bowl and other events could create other profit centers for the owners. Pay off the old stadium debt and then re-build because certainly state of the art in 10 or 15 years will be even more exciting. Again dress up what you have.

[Joe]

What happened to the "season ticket holder" that was supposed to be on here....I just see a bunch of fat pocketbooks willing to dump more money on the average taxpayer. These people arent in touch with the fans...hell I bet they havent even been to a game all year (maybe one they havent PAID for!!)

[Sara]

Why do you assume these people are not season ticket-holders, Joe? I have seen at least two of the people on the task force at games multiple times. Stop making assumptions that you have no basis for! Just because someone is rich and/or prominent in the community, doesn't make them out of touch with fans.

[Sara]

Why do you assume these people are not season ticket-holders, Joe? I have seen at least two of the people on the task force at games multiple times. Stop making assumptions that you have no basis for! Just because someone is rich and/or prominent in the community, doesn't make them out of touch with fans.

[Greg]

Re: Fan, "bye bye Rays" is fine with me! If the Tampa Bay market liked baseball, attendance wouldn't be so pathetic...watching baseball outdoors (in the heat/humidity/rain) is certainly not an improvement over watching it indoors. There are so many better ways this kind of money can be spent...no more subsidizing sports teams!

[Press Release]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

FROM: PRESERVE OUR WALLETS AND WATERFRONT (POWW)

TO: ALL MEDIA

RE: APPOINTMENTS TO A BASEBALL COMMUNITY COALITION

PRESERVE OUR WALLETS AND WATERFRONT HAS HOPED FOR AND SUPPORTED THE
BELIEF THAT MR. JEFF LYASH WAS SINCERE IN HIS EFFORTS TO CREATE AN
INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS FOR THE ABC COALITION, A 501 ( C ) (4 )
NON-PROFIT WHICH ACCEPTS NON-TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS AND HAS THE LEGAL
ABILITY TO ADVOCATE FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND ENDORSE CANDIDATES FOR
ELECTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, MR. LYASH HAS CHOSEN TO EXCLUDE THE VOICE OF POWW FROM
PARTICIPATION AND IN DOING SO HAS EXCLUDED THE BROAD BASED VOICE OF MANY
THOUSANDS OF POWW CONSTITUENTS.

THE POWW STEERING COMMITTEE HAD SUGGESTED THAT POWW’S CONSTITUENTS BE
REPRESENTED BY MR NIEL ALLEN, WHO HAS GAINED A COMMUNITY REPUTATION FOR
REASONABLE AND BALANCED CONSIDERATION IN ISSUES RELATING TO THE
CONTINUATION OF BASEBALL IN THE REGION.
IN LIGHT OF CITY WIDE DIVISIVENESS CAUSED BY THE RAYS EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE A WATERFRONT LOCATION AND THE USE OF
TAX DOLLARS TO BUILD A NEW STADIUM, AND IN CONSIDERATION OF TODAY’S
ANNOUNCEMENT MR. ALLEN STATES,

“ It is disappointing that Mr. Lyash and the ABC Coalition have failed to recognize the value of inclusiveness in this process. The decision not to include representatives from all constituencies may cause many thousands of citizens to feel disenfranchised. I believe the ABC Coalition has missed a unique opportunity to unite our community.”

ON BEHALF OF ITS THOUSANDS OF CONSTITUENTS, POWW WILL MONITOR THE ABC COALITION, ADVOCATE FOR A TRANSPARENT PROCESS, AND CONTINUE TO
PROTECT THE WATERFRONT AND WALLETS OF ALL CITIZENS.

[mrclean]

Heck reports back that there is very little community support. Sykes reports back that the corporations are interested if it doesn't cost them any money. Sher found a great stadium location and Sembler so happens to own it.

[New Rays Fan]

This committee is total BS. No average fans, no one who sits in Section 305, Row DD (last row) and watches the games from the cheap seats No one from Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee Counties, and only one from Hillsborough. They did hit the minority base with one African American but does baseball not have a large Hispanic following. Where's the Latin influence? Baseball's future has been gimmicks to bring people to the park and this group lacks that. Get a college student looking for a career in sports marketing. I am sure that of the 300 applicants every average Joe or Sarah was not even considered. Let's just pack up the Rays gear at the end of this season and send them on to a community that will support them like Charlotte or Vegas.
The group selected is a self serving bunch that will never venture out of their luxury boxes or Whitney Bank Club seats. This committee is horrible Jeff Lyash, Progress Energy CEO, should spend more time on saving money for his senior citizen customers. His only good choice was Commissioner Bob Stewart a season ticket holder. The rest of this group has probably not attended as many Rays games in the team's history as I have since my arrival here three years ago. Go Rays!

[Bob Thorton]

New Rays Fan
You are right on my friend. The business people who put the screws to the little guy everyday. Self serving village idiots. Where is Robin Hood when you need him.

[doone]

Has anyone stopped to consider that Florida itself cannot sustain a baseball team?

On the face of it, it sounds ludicrious, but for anyone willing to stop and think about it without personal interest, the reasons are clear and many.

The only successful baseball/Florida venture is spring training, and that's including a two time world series team that can only draw about six hundred fans.

Spring training is successful because of a fan base that includes the entire country. Fans annually make the trip to Florida to watch their team and vacation.

Its a rite of spring.

There is a larger population base to draw from considering that most of the snowbirds are still here at that time.

Year after year has shown that there is not enough support from people to spend the dog days of the summer at a baseball park when it can be seen from the comfort of your own home.

In a population base that dominated by fixed incomes, how in the world can anyone believe that a stadium could be filled by anyone other than the luxuryboxes, cheap seats and the comps.

$100 an evening can blow the entire entertainment budget for most of your demographic for the year.

Owners lament that the team is losing money even as the net worth skyrockets.

I'll stop here since most of you have already changed the channel. There is more. Think about it.

Face it, Florida loves spring training. The promise, the excitement, and the ritual, sounds like a perfect marraige, but it doesn't want to get married, just engaged.

Baseball can't survive here in summer.
Never did. Never will.

[Raymond The Rays Mascot]

ABC is an A++++ for St. Pete & Pinellas County to become long term committed to each for many generations to come. Another great day in St. Pete.

p.s. for all the Tampons, we're not building it over there jealous haters for no reason, so get over it.

[Patrick]

Say goodbye to the Rays and say goodbye to Progress Energy as well. Progress Energy is a parasite......

[A real baseball fan]

I am so disappointed. I thought that this commission would be representative of the community. How dare they call themselves diverse.. there are not diverse in any way..not economically, not geographically, not ethnically. What a joke

[ed]

this whole "commission set-up" is a HUGE JOKE. had to laugh when i read BOB STEWART whined because he was NOT on the commission-so what happened-HE WAS PROMPTLY APPOINTED!!
am calling this situation BAKER'S BUNGLE!!