Sure, there was overlapin the Lightning’s playoff push and Rays’ home games. And, yes, Rays crowds are even more sparse than usual–no matter who the opposing team is. But enough of the “hockey craze” factor.
The Rays’ plight–facility, location, no mass transit, few corporate headquarters, out-of-market allegiances, summer lifestyle, etc.–hasn’t changed much. To the degree that it has changed, it’s for the worse, because the St. Petersburg City Council remains adamantly opposed to lease negotiation, common sense and regional partnership.
You keep sending a certain, nose-thumbing, parochial message and, eventually that message is received.