Missed opportunity: Tampa teams soar, fans watch from afar

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2017, file photo, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks walks behind the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Tampa, Fla. This has been a year for Tampa Bay sports like no other, though the area's three successful professional teams haven't had a chance to truly capitalize on the boom and connect with re-energized fan bases. Derrick Brooks says he feels for the fans not being able to go to the games and celebrate their teams victories and success.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays pose with the American League championship trophy following their victory against the Houston Astros in Game 7 of a baseball American League Championship Series, in San Diego. This has been a year for Tampa Bay sports like no other, though the area's three successful professional teams haven't had a chance to truly capitalize on the boom and connect with re-energized fan bases. It has been — and continues to be —- a missed opportunity because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov (86) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Dallas Stars in the NHL Stanley Cup hockey finals, in Edmonton, Alberta. This has been a year for Tampa Bay sports like no other, though the area's three successful professional teams haven't had a chance to truly capitalize on the boom and connect with re-energized fan bases. It has been — and continues to be —- a missed opportunity because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90) and inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) celebrate after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. This has been a year for sports in Tampa like few other, though the city and the teams’ have had a chance to truly capitalize on the boom and energize the disinterested and sometimes downright apathic fan bases. It has been — and continues to be —- a missed opportunity. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. This has been a year for Tampa Bay sports like no other, though the area's three successful professional teams haven't had a chance to truly capitalize on the boom and connect with re-energized fan bases. It has been — and continues to be —- a missed opportunity because of the coronavirus pandemic.(AP Photo/Corey Sipkin, File)