The Lightning yesterday partnered with Uber, but there is "one problem: Ridesharing in Hillsborough County is still regarded as illegal by the Public Transportation Commission," according to Christopher O'Donnell of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. That "raises the question of whether the Lightning is undermining the PTC by encouraging Uber drivers to flout the law." The team's deal with Uber also "pre-empts a critical PTC vote on Nov. 9 that could affect the future of ridesharing in Hillsborough." Lightning officials "would not specifically address questions about the legality of ridesharing in Hillsborough or the safety of fans." Lightning Exec VP/Marketing & Communications Bill Wickett said that the partnership is a "paid deal," as the team has with Amalie Oil for its arena naming rights. The backing of Uber by one of Tampa's major sports franchises will put "more pressure on the PTC to resolve the long-running dispute." Traffic operations outside Amalie Arena are "handled by the Tampa Police Department, which has never been involved in enforcing PTC regulations" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/13).
