Photo: Parking Access
The Tampa Bay Lightning have changed their jersey policy so that fans from other cities can purchase tickets at Amalie Arena through TicketMaster, a policy that was against so since the start of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The policy was made to guarantee locals would get first dibs on securing their tickets and make the home-ice advantage greater for the Lightning.
Fans were also forbidden to wear jerseys of opposing teams in premium and club seats. It made up only 10% capacity but the Lightning gave notices to those looking at tickets in those areas.
The Lightning said that they removed this policy because season ticket holders in the club lounges asked them to do so.
In Round 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series, a Florida Panthers fan and his 11-year-old son were resisted by two team/Amalie Arena representatives who told them that they would need to change clothes (the team would give them a set of clothes to change into) or they would be asked to leave their seats and be given a refund. When the fan called the policy out, an employee threatened to have them escorted out of the arena.
You can watch the encounter below:
“After careful consideration the Lightning have elected to relax its visiting team apparel policy in the premium clubs for playoff games at Amalie Arena. The policy was originally instituted in 2015 at the request of our valued ticket holders in those areas, but we realize we have grown as an organization and as a hockey market since that time and it is no longer necessary.”
The Lightning will play Games 3, 4, and possibly 6 at home in their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
By Harrison Brown
Good call on him using Nazi/Hitler reference! I’ve said forever that Bettman is the “Little Dictator”of NHL! One of best parts of being a “Fan” of hockey is you have choice of whichever team you want to support. Especially sad that father&son moment at game ruined by two” respect my athority(Eric Cartman ) wannabes! To many “Ushers” use this God mentally when doing thier job. To me both should be put on suspension & given chance to put authority to use on say Covid recovery ward.
I’m surprised they got away with that for so long. Insecure organization.
Ushers don’t make the rules they are asked by management to have the fans abide by the rules many times being cursed at and having to suck it up. By the dress of the employees I would have to say they are management not ushers. Sounds to me you are one who tries to improve your seats and gets caught by the ushers.
Was especially sad being tonite in Montreal for the first time in Canada in 16 months 2500 fans(both Montreal & Toronto) are watching game together !! If two Canadian teams that have had such rivialies over the decades can watch a game together what does that say!!
You’re terrible.
WHAT A JOKE. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY , HOCKEY, BASBALL, & FOOTBAL GAMES WITH THE VISITING TEAM JERSEY . THE LIGHTNING SHOULD BE ASHAME. FIRE THE PERSON WHO PUT THAT IN THEY POLICY.
I mean, obviously we should listen to this level-headed individual.
Only in Florida, just another form of racism
This is like the Sienfeld episode when Elaine is ask to remove her Baltimore Orioles cap.
Get a grip people.
Story Says they softened the policy! NOT ENOUGH! THEY NEED TO PERMANENTLY CHANGE TGAT POLICY!!! FOREVER.
..AND UNTIL THEY DO NO RESPECT HERE….
Tampa and the FL Panthers where they were trying to grow hockey and A fan base it was hard because everyone from Canada to Boston ECT were there cheering on there home town teams ,and nobody wants to watch a loser or more away shirts than home ,if you live in Tampa cheer for Tampa or at least not against be proud of what they built