In a remarkable demonstration of their growing appeal, the Savannah Bananas sold out Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night, where they faced off against the Savannah Party Animals. This event marked the team’s debut in an NFL stadium, drawing an impressive crowd of 65,000 fans at the home ground of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bananas, often compared to the Harlem Globetrotters for their entertaining style, have seen a surge in popularity as their innovative brand of baseball known as Banana Ball has captivated audiences. This sellout is particularly significant given that they had successfully filled Major League Baseball stadiums prior.

On the field, the Bananas celebrated their achievement with an exhilarating 11-10 victory, where DR Meadows clinched the win with a dramatic walk-off grand slam.

“Tampa Bay, not only did you rearrange your field, but you also rearranged our hearts. To all 65,000 of you that went Bananas with us at Raymond James Stadium, thank you for making our NFL stadium debut truly unforgettable!” - Savannah Bananas

The success of the Bananas contrasts sharply with the struggles faced by the Tampa Bay Rays, who have been grappling with attendance issues. The Rays recently withdrew from a proposed $1.3 billion deal for a new stadium in St. Petersburg, continuing their challenges as a franchise.