TAMPA TEAMS TO DONATE TOWARD STATUE REMOVAL

Tampa’s three major sports franchises — the Lightning, Rays and Buccaneers — and former NFL coach Tony Dungy announced Thursday that they’d donate funds toward the removal of a Confederate statue in front of the courthouse in Tampa. “Recognizing that this monument does not reflect the values of our community, in collaboration with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, our organizations have dedicated funds to assist in moving the statue from the public space in front of the courthouse,” the teams said in a joint release. “Now more than ever before, we must stand united and committed to diversity and inclusion as we all attempt to heal from the tragedy in Charlottesville.” The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce said it will put $70,000 toward the effort to move the “Memoria In Aeterna” obelisk that depicts two Civil War soldiers. The Hillsborough County Commission voted Wednesday to allow the removal if $140,000 in private money was raised.