One of the biggest fixtures of Tampa (Florida, US) since the late 1990s has a new name.
‘TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING’ stated that the Vinik Sports Group and the Benchmark International recently announced a multiyear naming rights partnership ushering in a new era for the National Hockey League (NHL) team Tampa Bay Lightning’s premier sports entertainment venue – the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida (US).
Tampa (US)-based the Vinik Sports Group (VSG) is an entity established by Jeff Vinik to manage the three-time Stanley Cup (the Championship Trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League [NHL] Playoff Champion – the annual elimination tournament) Champion Tampa Bay Lightning (2004, 2020, 2021) of the National Hockey League (NHL) and hold the leasehold rights to the Benchmark International Arena, the 19,092-seat downtown Tampa home in which the team plays its home games.
Tampa (US)-based the Benchmark International is a global mergers and acquisitions (M&A –business transactions in which the ownership of a company, business organization, or one of their operating units is transferred to or consolidated with another entity) firm that provides the business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. The Benchmark International has handled over $11 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience the Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted the business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses.
New York (US)-based the National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams, 25 in the United States and seven (7) in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional ice hockey league in the world.
The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida (US). The Lightning competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the Benchmark International Arena in Downtown Tampa (Florida, US).
The 21,500-capacity Benchmark International Arena is a multipurpose arena in Tampa, Florida, United States, that has been used for ice hockey, basketball, arena football, concerts, and other events. It is mainly used as the home for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL).
‘TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING’ further stated that the above deal was announced recently with the Emmy Award-winning sportscaster (a person who provides commentary or analysis during a sports broadcast, whether on radio or television) Sara Walsh leading a presser at the arena’s Alumni Hall to announce the transition from the longtime, trusted partner AMALIE Motor Oil (North America’s largest privately-held independent blender of motor oils and industrial lubricants).
The Benchmark International is a global leader in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) known for providing the business owners with value-maximizing guidance. As a part of the partnership the agreement will see more than $3 million in nonprofit contributions donated to the Tampa Bay community.
Stated Steven Keane, Benchmark Chairman, “In 2010, the Benchmark International opened its international headquarters here in Tampa. We call Tampa our home. During those 15 years we’ve also seen Tampa grow…We care deeply about the emphasis that’s placed on relationships, values, impact, and excellence which run to the very core of the Vinik Sports Group.”
Lightning Co-Owner Doug Ostrover echoed those sentiments, “The decision to align with the Benchmark International is one the team and I approached with great care. The naming rights aren’t just about signage and branding. They’re about shared values. They’re about trust. And most of all, they’re about vision. The Benchmark International is an organization that leads with purpose. They’re global with their reach, ambitious with their thinking and deeply committed to making a meaningful difference. In many ways, they mirror our own goals here at the Lightning.”
The arena itself will undergo a complete rebranding including new signage, updated digital integrations and the renaming of its premium club level to the Benchmark International Club Level. As a result, the arena’s signature, all-inclusive club experience will now be called ‘The Mark’.
The ‘Bolts’ fans can get in on the refresh, as well, with a series of free community events set for mid-October and a rollout of activations ahead of the 2025-2026 seasons.
Said Steve Griggs, Vinik Sports Group head honcho, “This arena belongs to everyone in Tampa Bay. We’re excited to invite the fans, the families and the entire community to be part of this historic new chapter.”
If you ask the Lightning brass, the alliance runs deep.
Observed Ostrover, “This partnership, it’s rooted in more than just dollars and duration. It’s about potential, it’s about shared ambition and it’s about building something that will endure. We believe the best partnerships don’t just name buildings, they create opportunities, and they build legacy. And that’s what today’s all about.”
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