Although the transition of the Lightning's ownership
from Art Williams to William Davidson after the team's sale
last year was "smooth as ice," now there are reports that
"all is not cordial between the two parties," according to
Eric Miller of the TAMPA TRIBUNE. On Wednesday, Williams
filed a lawsuit in Hillsborough County Circuit Court
claiming that one of Davidson's sports partnerships cashed a
$138,000 check sent by the NHL "that was intended for one of
Williams' corporate sports entities." The check was for the
team's share of the '98-99 local and national TV and radio
revenues. The suit also alleges that Davidson is
"attempting to stick Williams with a large state tax bill
and the $2 million cost of buying out" former Lightning G
Bill Ranford's contract (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/26).
BOFFO TV DEAL: Meanwhile, the Lightning and Sunshine
Network announced a six-year contract extension of their
current TV rights agreement, extending the deal through the
2007-08 season, with an option to continue the relationship
through the 2012-2013 season (Sunshine Network). In St.
Petersburg, Damian Cristodero reports that Sunshine will
"show between 60 and 75 games annually, compared with 50 in
the old deal." The deal "also increases the number of home
games televised and continues programming such as the 30-
minute pregame and post-game shows, Tampa Bay Lightning
Weekly and a one-hour preseason special." Sunshine will pay
an average of $6.5M per year, an increase of "about" $2M.
Lightning President Ron Campbell: "These are big dollars."
Cristodero writes that the "price is high for programming
that this season averaged a 0.7 rating, which equals about
10,500 homes." Sunshine will also pay extra for playoff
games. Sunshine VP & GM Jim Liberatore, on the 0.7 rating:
"I don't consider that good. But I believe (the ownership
group) knows what they're doing" (ST. PETE TIMES, 5/26).
