TAMPA BAY TIMES
The Lightning are "taking out a series of advertisements that have nothing to do with hockey," as Owner Jeff Vinik and his family are "trying to help people in need find assistance" during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Diana Nearhos of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Vinik said, “We decided we could have a real impact by informing people where to go for help." Vinik is part of FBN Partners, a group of local investors who have loaned $15M to the Times Publishing Co., which owns the Tampa Bay Times. He was "concerned some might try to take advantage of those looking for help and decided to use the Lightning brand to indicate a trusted source." Nearhos notes the ads have "appeared in print mediums including the Times and will also be broadcast on the radio, posted to social media, put on billboards and placed on websites." The ads target three areas: "unemployment, small business assistance and food shortages." Vinik said, "We thought about where the most need would be. It would [help] the thousands or tens of thousands who have been laid off or furloughed, the thousands of businesses that have shut down, and those who are less fortunate and having trouble putting food on the table.” Nearhos notes in addition, the Vinik Family Foundation "donated $300,000 to Metropolitan Ministries, which has seen an astronomical uptick in requests for help" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/2).
