Bucs Looking to Upgrade Ray Jay Scoreboards

This morning the Tampa Tribune gave us an update on the status of the scoreboards with Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers, USF Bulls and multiple events including the Outback Bowl, previous Super Bowls, concerts and NCAA Football Championship in 2017.

According to the article, The high-definition scoreboard, packed with cutting-edge video technology, was part of an estimated $18.7 million package of stadium upgrades that included a sound system, new carpets for the locker and media rooms and new icemakers in the luxury suites.

The Bucs put a hold on that though, as they have some grandiose plans for an even bigger and better scoreboard - and they'll pay the difference.

"Rather than just do the improvements that were initially budgeted, they wanted to do something more grandiose on their dime," Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, a member of the sports authority board is quoted.

Since the Bucs delayed the renovations, they are paying the stadium maintenance and improvement fees that are normally paid by taxpayers.

Also, it looks like the TSA's stake will be reduced to $17.6 million with the Bucs picking up the tab on the rest.

No new taxes will need to be levied as stadium maintenance is already covered under the Tourist Development Tax.

There was no word on when construction will start on the scoreboards - but the goal is to have them in place before the NCAA Championship Game in 2017.