TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Vinik Sports Group and the Tampa Bay Lightning unveiled a new name for the sports and entertainment venue known as Amalie Arena.
The arena will soon be known as Benchmark International Arena.
The company it’s named after describes itself as providing “world class mergers and acquisitions services.”
The partners agreed to invest $3 million into Tampa Bay groups and initiatives focusing on health, education, hunger, and financial literacy.
The details of the financial agreement are being kept under wraps.
“It’s in perfect alignment with a building in this market, a building with one tenant venue so for us we’re very happy with the partnership, we’re very happy with the term and the dollar amount,” said Steven Keane, the Founder and Group Chairman of Benchmark International.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Ken Hagan, and representatives with VSG and the Lightning spoke at the news conference, expressing enthusiasm for the renaming and partnership with Benchmark International.
“We’re proud to welcome Benchmark International as the new naming rights partner of our venue,” said Vinik Sports Group CEO Steve Griggs. “Benchmark International is a well-respected brand with global reach and strong ties to the Tampa Bay community. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, service and community impact. As we transition to this new era, we are grateful for our long-time naming rights partner, AMALIE Motor Oil, who will continue to be a corporate partner of our organization.”
Fan’s were not too thrilled by the name.
“They should’ve chose something that is more natural or something that people could actually remember and not such a long name,” said Daniel Lindsey.
But others said they didn’t mind it.
“I’m still going to say it’s the lightning stadium, that’s how it’s always going to be for me,” said Renaldo Wallace. “It’s doesn’t really change anything, the atmosphere is always going to be the same, it’s always going to feel natural. And anyone that’s grown up here or comes down here, they’re always going to know what it is. The name may have changed but the city and how it is will never change.”