NO LAZY LIGHTNING UNDER WILLIAM DAVIDSON'S NEW REGIME

          Progress in the Lightning business office is "moving at
     warp speed" under new Owner William Davidson, according to
     Eric Miller of the TAMPA TRIBUNE, who reports that the
     team's average attendance of 14,700 through the first seven
     games this season is up 46% over last year.  Additionally,
     corporate sponsorship revenues have doubled since Davidson
     took over about five months ago, and all 80 of the Ice
     Palace's luxury suites are sold out. The team's sales force
     "began pounding the pavement" as soon as the "new owners
     arrived" and was "surprised" that "many companies had never
     before received a sales visit" from the team.  The team has
     "decided to part ways" with the arena's security company and
     "changed its relationship" with SMG.  Lightning President
     Ron Campbell said the "problem with SMG was that the
     contract emphasized the bottom line.  We want to emphasize
     the top line, spend more money on our guests, but get more
     events and people in the building" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/12).