 Raymond
James Stadium
Tampa,
FL
Since its opening in 1998, Raymond James Stadium has been called one of the
crown jewels of stadiums in the NFL. The Buccaneers spent 21 seasons playing
at the 74,000 seat Houlihan Stadium. When owner Hugh Culverhouse died in
1994 the future of the Buccaneers was uncertain. Groups in cities including
Baltimore, Orlando, St. Louis, and Toronto wanted to buy the franchise to
relocate the team. Malcolm Glazer bought the team in 1995 and demanded that
a new stadium be built for the Buccaneers. After the team was unsuccessful
in selling charter seats in a campaign to fund a new stadium it appeared
that the team may move to Cleveland to replace the Browns who had moved to
Baltimore. However, in September 1996 Hillsborough County voters approved a
referendum to construct a stadium for the Buccaneers in Tampa. The Buccaneers wanted a combination
of the finest elements of modern stadium design and its own groundbreaking
innovations in a new stadium. Construction began adjacent to Houlihan
Stadium in October 1996. Raymond James Financial of Tampa, purchased the
naming rights for 13 years. The stadium was named Raymond James
Stadium.
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