While the Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2021-22 season by raising another Stanley Cup banner, the team has been busy tending to partnerships and agreements that are visible to fans attending games at Amalie Arena and throughout the community.
What many in the sellout crowd — back to the usual 19,092 — likely noticed during the October 12 season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins are TGH decals on both sides of player helmets. For the second year in a row, Vinik Sports Group, the parent company of the Lightning, and Tampa General Hospital joined forces on such a deal.
“We could not be more pleased to showcase the Tampa General brand and iconic TGH logo exclusively, on our helmets, as we compete to keep the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay for a third consecutive year,” said Steve Griggs, Vinik Sports Group CEO, in a press release.
The logo will be featured on player helmets all season, as well as on practice helmets. The National Hockey League approved partner branding on helmets prior to last season’s shortened schedule.
The Lightning scored 97 goals in last season’s 28 home games. That meant $49,000 was raised through the Goals for Food program that donates meals to the less fortunate throughout the bay area. This season marks the ninth straight that the team and The Mosaic Company have partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay.
For every goal scored at home this season, Mosaic will donate $500 and the company will pitch in $5,000 for every hat trick. Mosaic will also sponsor a food drive that the Lightning will host at the end of the regular season.
“We are proud to continue our commitment to supporting our local community in the fight against hunger alongside the Tampa Bay Lightning,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, Mosaic’s vice president of government and public affairs, in a press release.
That is not the only initiative with which the Lightning have been visible, when it comes to feeding those in need. Through the effort of the team and Florida Blue, several locations for food donations were established in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties during a three-week period, starting at the end of August. All donations benefitted Feeding Tampa Bay in support of Tampa Bay area school pantries.
Lightning fans have had another opportunity to show off their team’s colors this month, thanks to the team and Crown Automotive extending their partnership. When a vehicle is purchased or leased at a Crown Automotive dealership in October, a Lightning license plate will be provided at no charge. All proceeds from the initiative will benefit the Lightning Foundation, which raises funds that are invested within the community.
“Crown Automotive Group is very excited to enter our sixth year as a preferred partner of the Lightning, a relationship that has flourished due to our shared commitment to the Tampa Bay community,” said Crown Automotive president Jim Myers, in a press release.
Crown is also sponsoring the last-minute of play in each period announcement, at Amalie Arena, this season.
The Lightning will play their first outdoor game this season when they meet the Nashville Predators at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, on February 26.
Tickets for the game went on sale October 21, via Ticketmaster, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until they are sold out.
In other Lightning news, two internal promotions, and one new hire, were announced by the Vinik Sports Group on Thursday.
Scott Levine joins the organization as vice president, finance and accounting. He previously was chief financial officer of the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center, now known as the FLA Live Arena, in Sunrise, Florida.
Sheri Anderson was promoted from senior director of partnership activation to vice president of partnerships.
Shannon Burrows was promoted from senior manager of partnerships to director of Vinik Sports Group properties and engagement.
