Is Tampa bay coming back?

[XFLGUY]

Just curious if there’s ever been anything said about the possibility of the Bandits being brought back at some point or was the move to Memphis done because they determined Tampa bay wasn’t/isn’t going to work?

[4th&long]

Just curious if there’s ever been anything said about the possibility of the Bandits being brought back at some point or was the move to Memphis done because they determined Tampa bay wasn’t/isn’t going to work?

I think they want Florida and TB but with a potential ownership group and local gov and biz leader support, plus proximity to Birm, they made the switch to Memphis.

I'd prefer the larger TB too but I understand the move. Hopefully TV ratings don't suffer. Could TB be back - if they go back to FL - IMO yes.

[GDAWG]

Just curious if there’s ever been anything said about the possibility of the Bandits being brought back at some point or was the move to Memphis done because they determined Tampa bay wasn’t/isn’t going to work?

I think they want Florida and TB but with a potential ownership group and local gov and biz leader support, plus proximity to Birm, they made the switch to Memphis.

I'd prefer the larger TB too but I understand the move. Hopefully TV ratings don't suffer. Could TB be back - if they go back to FL - IMO yes.

It was also probably difficult for the USFL to secure a deal with Raymond James Stadium.

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

Just curious if there’s ever been anything said about the possibility of the Bandits being brought back at some point or was the move to Memphis done because they determined Tampa bay wasn’t/isn’t going to work?

They got an offer they couldn't refuse from Memphis. That's it. But they didn't want to waste money on expansion yet, so they picked one of the other teams, and replaced it with Memphis.

The USFL has shown all the hallmarks of a Brian Woods league with its self-aggrandizing yet hopelessly vague press releases whenever something important happens. Jeff Fisher disappears, all we get is "personal reasons." Can't admit they fired the guy, for some odd reason. So no, as much as the move leaves the door open to TB returning, I have my doubts. That is, unless one of the other markets (see: Houston, ahem) falls through.

[4th&long]

Just curious if there’s ever been anything said about the possibility of the Bandits being brought back at some point or was the move to Memphis done because they determined Tampa bay wasn’t/isn’t going to work?

They got an offer they couldn't refuse from Memphis. That's it. But they didn't want to waste money on expansion yet, so they picked one of the other teams, and replaced it with Memphis.

The USFL has shown all the hallmarks of a Brian Woods league with its self-aggrandizing yet hopelessly vague press releases whenever something important happens. Jeff Fisher disappears, all we get is "personal reasons." Can't admit they fired the guy, for some odd reason. So no, as much as the move leaves the door open to TB returning, I have my doubts. That is, unless one of the other markets (see: Houston, ahem) falls through.

Why would they embarass Fisher or the league itself with that. Fisher didn't want the job any more for for his own personal reasons (too much work? for the money?) and decided to step down. Who said they fired him? LOL. What organization doesn't talk itself up?

I agree, as I posted same, they got a great offer from Memphis and moved there... which is what DJ basically said. It also works from a travel stand point. I really thought Haley took the TB job because he's from TB area, I'm glad he stuck around for year 2.

[laxtreme56]

The only time I can remember a team actually returned to its home market after "hiatus" was the New Orleans Voodoo coming back after Hurricane Katrina. I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing the Bandits return to Tampa.

[Tank55]

It's happened a bunch in the NFL. Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Oakland Raiders.