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Meetings move Tampa Bay Lightning sale closer to conclusion
Meetings that went through Monday and into Tuesday morning at the NHL offices in New York apparently have brought Boston hedgefund manager Jeff Vinik much closer to buying the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Details are sketchy, and it was unclear how much more work has to be done. But Lightning co-owner Oren Koules apparently attended the meetings and at least representatives for co-owner Len Barrie and Vinik.
The deal would include the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5-1/2 acres around the arena.
Tentative agreement reached in sale of Tampa Bay Lightning to Jeffrey Vinik
It is not yet a done deal, but a tentative agreement apparently has been reached in the proposed sale of the Lightning to Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik. More work has to be done and final signatures still are needed, but the process occurring at the NHL offices in New York seems to be in its final stages. The money still has not been revealed but it is believed it will be substantially less than the $170 million reported by the Hockey News. ... Read more
Jeff Vinik has purchase agreement to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning; approvals next
The Lightning is on its way to having new ownership as Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik on Friday secured a purchase agreement to buy the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5½ acres around the building. ... Read more
The interview: prospective Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik speaks out
Boiling down a 25-minute interview for a newspaper article is difficult. Obviously, a lot has to get left on the cutting room floor. So, in order for you to get an even better idea of who is Jeff Vinik, who on Friday signed a purchase agreement to be the Tampa Bay Lightning's fifth owner, here is the entire interview. Vinik, 50, a Boston hedge fund manager, who probably prefers money manager, grew up in Deal, N.J., and moved with his family to New York when he was in the eighth grade. Here is how and why he has come to be the Lightning's next owner: ... Read more
Sale of Tampa Bay Lightning to Jeff Vinik appears almost complete
It appears the sale of the Lightning to Boston hedgefund manager Jeff Vinik is almost complete. League spokesman Frank Brown said Vinik met with the NHL's executive committee in Vancouver during the Winter Olympics.
With that hurdle cleared, approval by the league's board of governors is seen as a formality.
A financial deal thought to be about $110-million, for which Vinik is paying cash, is also believed about to close, perhaps as soon as today or tomorrow.
-- DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Steven Stamkos appearing Friday at Forum
New Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and star center Steven Stamkos will appear from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the St. Pete Times Forum for a special edition of the team's popular Unplugged series. The gathering, which will include a question-and-answer period, will take place in the arena's lower bowl. Season-ticket holders can participate in an open skate on the Times Forum ice until 8 p.m.
New Lightning owner plans to restore Tampa Bay's passion for hockey
Jeff Vinik's main goal as owner of the Lightning is to bring the passion for hockey back to the Tampa Bay area.
"My objective ... is to bring back a consistent winning hockey team and bring back the Stanley Cup to Tampa Bay,'' Vinik said during a news conference today at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
The news conference, which NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and former Lightning player Dave Andreychuk, among others, attended, was part of Vinik's introduction to the bay area.
... Read more
Video: Ownership stability, at last?
The Lightning has a new owner, and Times sports columnist Gary Shelton says he wants assurances this isn't Oren Koules all over again in this video report from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.
... Read more
Video: Lightning not making much of a first impression
The Lightning lost nine of its first 11 games after Jeff Vinik was introduced as the team's new owner, Times sports columnist John Romano points out in this video report from "The Lineup,'' 6-6:30 p.m. weeknights on Bright House Sports Network.
... Read more
How did it all go wrong?
After winning the Stanley Cup championship in 2003-04, the Tampa Bay Lightning has finished near the bottom of the National Hockey League standings the past three seasons. Now, new owner Jeff Vinik has a chance to restore the luster to the franchise. But not without a lot of difficult decisions. Where did it all go wrong? Look back at the events that put the Bolts in this position in a special photo gallery. ... Read more
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