The Lightning are "close to breaking even for the first time" under team Owner Jeff Vinik, and for "only the second time" in the 23-year history of the franchise, according to Jamal Thalji of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup Final with a Game 7 win over the Rangers on Friday, and team officials said that the "longest postseason run since Vinik bought the team" in '10 has "sparked sales of season tickets, suites and sponsorships that will fuel revenues for years to come." They added that this postseason "has rejuvenated a Lightning brand that has languished" since winning the Stanley Cup in '04. Lightning and Amalie Arena President Steve Griggs "would not say whether the team is projected to go into the black this season or next," but he said that this year's playoff run "has put that goal within reach." The Lightning's various owners have long said that they have "lost seven to eight figures annually," with the lone exception being a $3.6M profit in '04. During the current six-week playoff run, the Lightning said that they have "sold 1,500 new season ticket packages for next season." That "boosted the season ticket base" by 15% to 12,000 total. The team also "sold 56 of its 69 suites this season," and officials "expect to sell out all 69 next year" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/31). In Tampa, Smith & Auman reported all Stanley Cup Final tickets the Lightning made available in a public sale that began Saturday afternoon "are sold out," but '15-16 season-ticket holders "can still secure tickets." Games 1 and 2, and 5 and 7, if necessary, will be at Amalie Arena (TAMPABAY.com, 5/30).
PARITY? WHAT PARITY? In Chicago, Mark Potash writes the Blackhawks "are almost mocking" Commissioner Gary Bettman’s "vision of NHL parity" after playing in their fifth conference final in seven years and their third Stanley Cup Final in six years. If Bettman’s "vision of the NHL in the salary-cap era proves true, what the Hawks are doing could prove to be more special than we know" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/1). In Chicago, Rick Morrissey writes during the past seven years, after "each of the five conference-final appearances, we’ve been told that this can’t go on forever, that salary cap issues would pull the plug on the Hawks’ aura." The same people "are clearing their throats again." Morrissey: "Ignore them. Until we’re otherwise notified, the Blackhawks are immovable. A rock of a franchise." The Blackhawks "win consistently and they win spectacularly," and they are "unlike any other franchise" in the Chicago market. Everything that Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein "is trying to do" with his team is "on display" with the Blackhawks (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/1).
