The Bradenton (Fla.) Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on Saturday "was full of apologies" to Lightning fans after it "unleashed an internet storm Friday by issuing a rally towel" to the Penguins, according to Jessica De Leon of the BRADENTON HERALD. The teams are competing in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the yellow rally towels intended for fans "had 'Let's Go Pens!' superimposed over the image of a mascot Penguin holding a hockey stick." Underneath the logo, the words Bradenton, Anna Maria and Longboat Key "were listed along with the BradentonGulfIslands.com web address." Lightning fans "were unhappy with the Bradenton CVB, and overnight #BoycottBradenton began to trend on Twitter in the Tampa Bay area." The CVB "continued to try to reassure unhappy fans locally by explaining the agency is tasked with promoting tourism to the area" (BRADENTON HERALD, 5/15). YAHOO SPORTS' Josh Cooper noted Bradenton "is the spring training home" of the Pirates, as well as the home of the Single-A Florida State League Bradenton Marauders. Bradenton Area Convention Visitors Bureau Exec Dir Elliott Falcione said, "We’re the agency that’s charged with promoting visitation to the Bradenton area and our staff and stakeholders truly love the Lightning ... but at the same time as a convention and visitor’s bureau, we have objectives to drive visitors to our areas in the most unique and effective manner." Falcione said that the Penguins "had contacted his organization as they readied for a potential Eastern Conference Final matchup and asked if they wanted their name on a rally towel." Falcione said that the city of Bradenton "has also held a partnership with the Lightning the last two years ... with their brand being behind the visitor’s bench" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/14).
