The Buccaneers were named after the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which celebrates the pirate Jose Gaspar. The name was chosen from a name-the-team contest.
Well, since the early 1900's every year Tampa, FL is invaded by pirates AKA Gasparilla. So it only made sense to name our team the buccaneers. In case you didnt already know a buccaneer is another...
Tampa Bay comes from where Tampa is. They call it the Tampa Bay area because it is right near the bay of the Gulf of Mexico. I know this because I live in Pinellas County which is right below Tampa
The first mascot they had was named Skully. In fact my Dad worked with the guy that named Skully. Tampa Bay had a draw for fans and he won the privelage of naming the mascot. The new one is Captain...