The Tampa Bay Lightning's home rink has hit the rebranding rink, people: The erstwhile Amalie Arena is now to be called the Benchmark International Arena. The name change comes after a decade-plus stint under the Amalie moniker, a deal that has seen its day with the Lightning's impressive runs on the ice. According to ABC Action News, Benchmark International, a global mergers and acquisitions firm with a notable footprint in Tampa, clinched the naming rights to the iconic sports and entertainment venue.
Here's where the plot thickens, though. Vinik Sports Group, the stewards of the Lightning and the arena itself, announced the partnership with Benchmark International as a multi-year endeavor. "Benchmark International is a global mergers and acquisitions firm that provides business owners and operators with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses," as detailed by their happy dance of a press release, found on the NHL's Lightning page. The firm is not shy about its achievements, boasting more than $12.5 billion in closed transactions. And, such a pairing seems like smart business—think home ice advantage meets home office advantage.
Well, the confetti has flown and the suits have spoken. At the high-profile unveiling, Tampa's own Mayor Jane Castor joined the chorus of civic and corporate voices singing praises to the new partnership. Steve Griggs, CEO of Vinik Sports Group, distilled the sentiment into a neat, marketable soundbite in a statement obtained by WFLA, "We’re proud to welcome Benchmark International as the new naming rights partner of our venue." Griggs also didn't miss the chance to tip a hat to AMALIE Motor Oil, the former naming rights partner who will stay in the fold as a corporate ally.
