Bucs dinged for smelly locker room in annual player survey
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An annual survey sheds light on the conditions that Baker Mayfield and his teammates face at work. Photo: Perry Knotts/Getty Images.
Buccaneers players say their locker room stinks, their seats on the team plane are too small and their cafeteria food could be fresher, according to an annual player survey.
Why it matters: Pro athletes are workers, too, and this survey by the NFL Players Association sheds light on how players throughout the league perceive their workplaces.
- The Bucs' low ranking — 27th of 32 teams overall — could affect their ability to lure free agents and retain players. And poor work conditions can hurt morale in any field.
Zoom in: Per the NFLPA, Bucs players report a "persistent bad smell" and poor ventilation in their locker room. Nearly half said the facility has "ongoing plumbing issues."
- Just 65% of players said they have enough room on team flights. One complaint: Players sit in the back of the plane, while staff flies in first-class.
- The Glazer family ranked 27th among team owners — with a D+ grade. A factor: iffy willingness to invest in team facilities.
Yes, but: The Bucs got a big grading boost in the team's treatment of players' families, after eliminating a $90-per-child gameday daycare fee.
- Goodbye 2024's F, hello C-.