TAMPA, Fla. — In the 14 years Jeff Vinik has owned the Tampa Bay Lightning, he’s transformed the team into a crown jewel of the NHL, along with transforming the area around Amalie Arena.
According to Sportsnet, Jeff Vinik plans to sell a majority stake of his team, valued at $2 Billion, to Blue Owl Capital CEO Doug Ostrover.
Tampa Bay Lightning Links:
The deal is not yet complete with Vinik retaining full operational control of the Lightning for the next several seasons. He’ll also retain a significant stake in the new ownership group.
Vinik released a statement tonight saying, “I can confirm that we are in discussions to further expand our ownership group of the Tampa Bay Lightning. There will be no change in the day-to-day operations of the Lightning and Vinik Sports Group. I am very excited about what is to come for the organization and we look forward to sharing more when the time is right.”
Vinik transformed a struggling team into back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
He reportedly purchased the team in 2010 for $170 million, which means Vinik stands to make a huge profit from the sale.
Now, the Lightning sale could be the largest in NHL history, likely breaking the record this past April of the Arizona Coyotes transfer of ownership for $1.2 Billion to a Utah couple.