In addition to taking care of activities in ICE by signing free agents at the organization, the Tampa Bay Lightning has also been busy with Off-Ice Business that has an impact on the experience of a fan in watching the games, whether it is personally on television or on a streaming device.
From stadium name rights to the broadcasting of deals, lightning has made some decisions that fans give a different look when lightning touches the ice on 26 September for their pre -season opener.
New name rights for Arena
See you, Amalie Arena. Hello, Benchmark Arena.
On August 13, the Vinik Sports Group announced one Agreement of multi-year name rights rights For the home arena of the Lightning with Benchmark International, a worldwide merged and acquisition company that has its head office in Tampa. The length and financial conditions of the deal were not disclosed in the Lightning press release. The Sports company Journal quoted an unnamed source that believed that the deal was 10 years old and would rank it in the top five for NHL teams that do not share the Arena with an NBA franchise.
The stadium debuted in 1996 as the Ice Palace and has since been called the St. Pete Times Forum and Tampa Bay Times Forum. It is Amalie Arena, named since 2014, after Amalie Oil Company in Tampa. Amalie Oil remains as a business sponsor.
The first impact on fans, in addition to getting used to a name change, is the entire rebranding, including new signposting, updated digital integrations and the renamation of its premium club level to the Benchmark International Club level. This all-inclusive cluber experience is now called ‘The Mark’.
The other major impact for lightning fans with this deal is that it will help the organization with the renovation of the 29-year-old Arena and avoid the non-Hurrican-related stadium, have confronted their Major League Baseball Brethren, the Tampa Bay rays. The lease agreement of lightning at the facility of public property will be in 2037.
“This building is 30 years old, and there is a real dedication to this building to improve it and to ensure that it is here for the next 20-25 years,” said Steven Griggs, CEO of Vinik Sports Group. “This collaboration with Benchmark International will enable us to do some of those things, and we work hard with it [Hillsborough County] To ensure that this building is a world-class building for the next round of NCAA events or American gymnastics, or SEC or ACC, as well as concerts. “
New name. The same phase for the unforgettable. Benchmark International Arena. pic.twitter.com/P7HQB03DQ5
– Benchmark International Arena (@benchmark_arena) August 13, 2025
Lightning fans are given the opportunity to participate in the changes made by the deal. The team is planning a series of free community events that took place for mid-October and other promotions prior to the 2025-26 season. Extra sponsorship announcements, including new experiences with food and drinks in collaboration with Oak View Group, will be announced later.
The added bonus for fans and the tampa community that came with the deal with Benchmark International includes joint community initiatives with more than $ 3 million in financial contributions of non-profit in the Tampa Bay area.
New broadcasting deal
In May the lightning announced it had Work together with Scripps Sports To broadcast games in the air and go free to fans, starting this season. Due to the move, the lightning was able to continue from the Diamond Sports Group, which manages the Bally Sports Networks. In 2024, Diamond agreed to broadcast lightning and other NHL games, while it tried to come from chapter 11 bankruptcy, giving fans a stable source for their broadcasts.
The good news for Lightning fans is that SCRIPPS SPORTS will continue to use the well-known Dave Randorf broadcasting team on Play-by-Play, Brian Engblom as a color analyst and Gabby Shirley reports Rinkside. The cooperation between Scripps and the Lightning will also offer co-produced content that gives fans unique insight into the team and players on and next to the ice.
Scripps Sports wears lightning on WXPX TV. The station, known as the place – Tampa Bay 66, began to wear news and entertainment programming on July 1, after he had been overrun to become an independent station as a result of the deal. The lightning was the fourth NHL team with which Scripps closed a deal, with the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth.
Award -winning fan experience
This deal can also improve the fan experience in the arena, something that is intriguing, such as The production of the event production In Benchmark International Arena was recognized for the best game presentation of the NHL during the 2024-25 season.
Related: Lightning must embrace a stadium series with a buccanic theme
With a busy summer of deals that are closed on and next to the ice, fans excellence from the team on ice can continue to expect, as well as a pleasant and entertaining experience away from the ice.
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