Hillsborough approves Lightning deal, says it isn’t precedent for Rays

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to stay at Benchmark International Arena until at least 2043 after Hillsborough County Commissioners unanimously approved a six-year lease extension Wednesday.It’s the first of what could be a few stadium funding requests to come before the county this year. Commissioners said their decision should not be considered an expectation, praising the team for exemplary commitment to Tampa.The extension features a $250 million commitment from the county for renovations to the arena, money drawn from its tourist development tax.The team is required to spend an additional $75 million on arena renovations to fully unlock the county’s contribution. If the team were to decide to leave Tampa, it would have to pay millions in penalties.“We’re all familiar with the back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships. More important, ... (Jeff) Vinik’s vision and leadership has led the charge to transform downtown Tampa,” County Commission chairperson Ken Hagan said during the board’s discussion.“I don’t think everyone has a true understanding of how fortunate we are.”Hagan’s sentiments were echoed by the rest of the commissioners, though Commissioner Joshua Wostal motioned for the board to reconsider the deal’s split. Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda seconded the motion, but it did not garner any other supporters. Still, both commissioners voted in favor of the agreement, with Cameron Cepeda praising the team’s philanthropic efforts and Wostal saying he supports using tourist dollars to maintain the arena, which the county owns. He took a similar stance in October when he voted in favor of the county approving $18 million for the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field .“I do believe that (the Lightning) are pretty overwhelmingly cherished by the community compared to the other sports teams,” Wostal said.No money from property taxes or the local sales tax known as the Community Investment Tax are included in this agreement. The team could still pursue more from the latter.“This investment will enable us to maintain and enhance Benchmark International Arena, fostering world-class, diverse entertainment options and striving for Stanley Cup Championships,” Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said in a statement. “We are proud to call Tampa home and remain dedicated to being a source of community pride.”A handful of team officials attended the meeting and exited promptly after the funding was approved.Numerous commissioners addressed the concerns of some Tampa Sports Authority members that the deal could set precedent for the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to seek a similar 75% public subsidy request for stadium money. The Rays are pursuing a stadium at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus , and the Bucs’ are seeking major upgrades to Raymond James Stadium.The Sports Authority, which is the arena’s landlord, approved the deal with a 7-3 vote earlier this month.Acknowledging the Sports Authority’s concerns, Commissioner Chris Boles said comparing the Lightning’s request to future deals would be “like comparing apples to rocks.”“The funding sources are different, the risk to tax payers is different and certainly, it shouldn’t be judged by the same standard,” Boles said.While commissioners don’t intend to set a stadium funding standard locally, Boles and Commissioner Christine Miller said it was important to do right by a franchise that has poured hundreds of millions into the area around the arena.The Lightning, Miller said, have made $2.5 billion in private investment and development, with $400 million more planned.“The leadership and the ownership of the Tampa Bay Lightning punch well above their weight, comparatively,” Miller said. “We should expect similar commitment investments from any contracts that we’re looking at in the future.”Miller also noted that similarly priced arena renovations in Orlando and Charlotte are being entirely covered by tourism dollars. “We need to stay competitive in this area,” she said.Commissioner Harry Cohen echoed the sentiment, saying he appreciates the “good citizenship the Lightning show.”“It is an enormous privilege and responsibility to be an NHL community,” Cohen said. Times staff writer Colleen Wright contributed to this report.

Hillsborough approves Lightning deal, says it isn’t precedent for Rays

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