"Please note that for all 2015 NHL playoff games at Amalie Arena only Tampa Bay Lightning team apparel (or neutral) will be permitted in these club and adjoining seating areas," the statement reads. One affects mostly season-ticket holders in the Chase Club and Lexus Lounge areas. The policies are clearly stated on the team's Ticketmaster site. Tampa Bay fans are not any less passionate about their teams, but they have existed for decades among a fan base that is divided in its sports loyalties and reflective of the transplanted nature of Florida's population. "We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season-ticket holders as we can, and we've been somewhat successful at it."įair or not, the term hometown carries a transient connotation when applied to Florida sports teams. "We've said at the time we're not going to apologize for the policy," Wickett said. On the surface, the issues affect less than 10 per cent of the 19,204-seat Amalie Arena.
The policies prohibit fans from wearing an opposing team's apparel in certain club areas and restrict ticket sales to non-Florida residents. The Lightning's two-pronged approach essentially means "No Rangers Fans Allowed" as the Eastern Conference finals shifted here for Game 3 Wednesday night.
Inside the lobby, Bill Wickett, the Lightning's executive vice-president for communications, explained a polarizing policy designed to create a similar scene for every home playoff game this season at Amalie Oil Arena. About 50 fans waited to greet the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, breaking into cheers as the team's chartered plane rolled across the tarmac and pulled into the Tampa International Jet Center.
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