Attention Buccaneers fans! With February coming to a close, the highly anticipated NFL Players Association survey results for 2025 have been released. This year’s survey gathered feedback from players across all 32 teams, shedding light on various aspects of their respective franchises.
Buccaneers Players Weigh in on Ownership
The results are in, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have once again expressed their lukewarm sentiments towards the Glazer family. For the second consecutive year, the team’s ownership group received a subpar grade.
Grades:
• Ownership: D+ (up slightly from last year’s D- grade)
It’s clear that Bucs players still have reservations about the Glazer family’s ownership, ranking them lower compared to ownership groups around the league.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Buccaneers Players’ Thoughts on Ownership
A deeper dive into the survey results reveals more nuanced insights into Buccaneers players’ perceptions of the Glazer family’s ownership.
Investment in Facilities:
• Average rating: 6.50/10
• League ranking: 27/32
Bucs players expressed moderate confidence in the Glazer family’s willingness to invest in team facilities, with a mid-tier ranking among NFL ownership groups.
“The players feel that the Glazer family slightly contributes to a positive team culture, a rank of 27 out of 32. The players feel that the Glazer family is somewhat committed to building a competitive team, a rank of 26 of the 32 NFL owners.”
The complete overview of the Buccaneers organization from the NFLPA,
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranked 27th, with their highest-rated categories attributed to people rather than physical facilities. When asked what the team does best, players consistently highlighted the support staff and strength coaches, who earned an A grade this year.”
“The team improved its treatment of players’ families grade from an F to a C-, likely due to the decision to stop charging players for daycare during games.”
“However, several areas still need improvement. Players want better food quality and more variety in the cafeteria. Another major concern is locker room cleanliness—44% of players report ongoing plumbing issues, and persistent bad odors remain a problem.”
Facilities Investment: A Mixed Bag
The lukewarm rating regarding facility investment is somewhat justified. Raymond James Stadium, while still a premier venue, is showing its age. Moreover, the stadium’s locker room is notoriously cramped, paling in comparison to the more spacious accommodations at One Buc Place.
Interestingly, even the facilities at One Buc Place didn’t entirely meet player expectations, with some respondents suggesting that the space was still inadequate.
The Glazers’ Hands-Off Approach
The Glazer family’s ownership style is distinctively hands-off, giving their managerial staff the autonomy to operate without undue interference. Similarly, they maintain a respectful distance from players, avoiding overbearing interactions.
While some might view this approach as contributing to a slightly detached team culture, it’s essential to consider the alternatives. Having owners like Jerry Jones, David Tepper, or Jim Irsay, who are notorious for their meddling and overbearing personalities, might be far more detrimental to team dynamics.
A Commitment to Excellence
Labeling the Glazers as only “somewhat committed to building a competitive team” seems inaccurate. Their aggressive pursuit of Tom Brady, arguably the greatest player in NFL history, culminated in a Super Bowl championship. Furthermore, they’ve consistently demonstrated a willingness to invest in their own talent, rewarding deserving players with top-tier contracts.
While they may not have splurged on external free agents recently, this restraint is largely a testament to their successful drafting and player development. By cultivating homegrown talent, the Glazers have built a sustainable foundation for competitiveness, rather than relying solely on pricey external acquisitions.
Areas for Improvement: Player Amenities
It’s possible that the players’ perceptions of ownership are influenced by aspects beyond just investment in facilities. According to the survey, the Buccaneers lag behind in providing certain amenities, including:
• First-class flight options
• A family room at the stadium on game days
• Adequate locker room maintenance, with issues related to cleanliness and plumbing
By addressing these concerns and listening to player feedback, the Glazers may be able to significantly improve their ownership grade in the eyes of their players come 2026.
The BR Rub
Look, no matter how you slice it, this is a bad look for the Glazers. Sure this may be a few disgruntled players being petty. But this isn’t a one-time thing. It’s been more of a pattern for the ownership.
Hopefully the Glazers will consider investing more money to fix these problems. It’s not like they aren’t making an enormous amount of cash off of the team, right?
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