And Jeff, to his honest, ever-dying credit was very calm and collected and analytical, and kept that team together. We had the best regular season in 20 years. Michael Russo is a senior writer covering the Minnesota Wild and the National Hockey League for The Athletic. In 2017, the Viniks donated $1 million to relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey struck the state of Texas and another $1 million (through the Lightning Foundation) after Hurricane Irma devastated much of the state of Florida. Whenever something bad happens, and you believe in your team and your organization, and theres outside voices, you have to thine own self be true. And Im really, really proud of Jeff for being strong. More recently, Vinik purchased local newspaper ads, radio ads, and billboards to promote resources available for local residents affected by unemployment, small business struggles and food shortages due to COVID-19. He started the Conflict Islands Conservation Initiative and runs volunteer programs for turtle protection and coral research. Any one of us would love to be in his shoes right now, for sure, but hes one of the most respected owners Ive ever been around., And Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz: Jeff is a leader amongst NHL owners for what he has accomplished in Tampa both on and off the ice. When we won the Presidents Trophy (in 2010) and we lost in the first round (to Montreal), the howls from media and some fan quarters were: Blow the team up. I was glad when the cavalry arrived. As he had done for decades in the financial sector, Vinik did his due diligence and found an opportunity worth investing in. He sunk $40 million of his own money into a county-owned arena with no recourse. They needed Steve Yzerman. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. Many of the Viniks marital assets, according to the petition, are titled in the names of business entities such as partnerships, limited liability corporations, foundations and trusts. Follow Michael on Twitter @RussoHockey, Nikita Kucherov and Jeff Vinik (Mark LoMoglio / Tampa Bay Lightning), Joe Biden and Jeff Vinik (Mark LoMoglio / Tampa Bay Lightning), Jeff Vinik (Douglas DeFelice / USA Today), Fall Out Boy to play a celebratory Cup party. After a very successful career at the firm, Vinik left to start his own hedge fund, Vinik Asset Management which was the catalyst that brought him the wealth, network and knowledge required to punch his ticket into professional sports (from Manager of Magellan Fund Quits, Washington Post, 05/25/1996). The petition to dissolve the marriage of 33 years was filed this week in Hillsborough County. In 2008, Vinik began to ponder the next chapter of his life and what that would look like. With the significant increase in attendance and overall brand awareness over the past few seasons, the team has in turn seen increases in revenues and profitability. When a prospective owner reaches out to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to inquire about taking on a franchise, Bettman sends them to Tampa to learn from Vinik. Thunderstruck: Celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightnings one-of-a-kind championship season with this hardcover collectors book. Last season, when the Lightning beat Montreal, it came at the end of a shortened season with a slow build of attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions. Art of the Brick, the first exhibit to focus exclusively on the use of LEGO bricks as an art medium, was brought to downtown Tampa in 2017. After phase one of his plan was complete, the newest member of the NHL owners club had to get to work and quickly. There are stories of him secretly paying the college tuition of arena workers and helping pay off mortgages. UK Office Theragnostics Ltd And in return for that faith and trust, Cooper has rewarded them with two Cups and a chance for a third this year. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Were all extremely impressed by the sustained success in Tampa under Jeffs ownership. You could get in the door for as little as $2 or find a free ticket if you happened to pick up your dry cleaning or walk into the right grocery store at the right time, but still there was little support. The financial destruction caused by the economic crisis forced many NHL owners to consider selling their franchise and at least five NHL teams were looking for new ownership (Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars and Tampa). It was the largest single gift in the 90-year history of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. Over the past nine years, the team has invested close to $100 million in renovations to the arena with more scheduled, continuing to create a world class experience of fans, season ticket members and corporate partners. He also poured $80 million into Amalie Arena renovations, including the installation of a massive center-hung arena HD video display board, the largest of its kind in North America at the time. The $189 million medical school building is an anchor for the $3 billion Water Street Tampa project, which Vinik is developing in partnership with Cascade Investment, the private wealth fund of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Jeff and Penny Vinik want to ensure theyre making an impact not just in the immediate term but 20 or 30 years from now. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. Jeff and Penny respectfully request privacy while they amicably work on their relationship, Bill Wickett, a spokesman for Jeff Vinik, said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times. Jeff Vinik purchased the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 3, 2010, promising a comprehensive transformation of the franchise while pledging to make a significant positive impact in the Tampa Bay community, and he has delivered. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. Its like the first two didnt happen. Vinik and his wife have four kids: three boys, ages 31, 30 and 21, and one girl, age 28. Enter Search Term. Hes definitely not an owner thats in the locker room ever, Killorn says. The turnaround was nothing less than spectacular. The success really speaks for itself: winning back-to-back Cups, in the Final again for a chance at a third Cup. WebIn Fall 2018, VFF will loan Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Room LOVE IS CALLING to the Tampa Museum of Art. Vinik is also the impetus behind Embarc Collective, an innovation hub which opened in downtown Tampa in 2019. New Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales staff nearly set, As Tampa Bay sales grow, sport bike maker Ducati plans giant dealership. Of course, were not going to blow it up! Jeff closed his Boston firm in 2013, to focus on business and philanthropic interests in Tampa. Viniks Lightning team won the franchises second Stanley Cup, and first in his decade of ownership, in October, and the Water Street Tampa project has created unprecedented downtown growth around Amalie Arena. Although the marital estate is large, and the wifes equitable distribution will be substantial, most of the assets are controlled by the husband," the petition says. sport and entertainment management program, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor isnt on board with defunding the police. OConnell and Meredith Wheeler, VFFs senior policy analyst, have been tasked with doing a 360-degree assessment of how the fund should deploy its resources. To find out more see our. It was Viniks family who designed the Lightnings spectacular Stanley Cup rings on a pair of cocktail napkins. WebAn on-campus stadium at USF will be a game-changer, literally and figuratively, for the university and our entire Tampa Bay community, said Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and co-developer of Water Street Tampa. Tampa Bay Lightning owner, and most recent Stanley Cup champion, Jeff Vinik is the exception to the rule. The Lightning's success under Vinik has coincided with the emergence of a development company, Strategic Property Partners (SPP), LLC and its plan to develop approximately 60 acres in downtown Tampa's south core into a new district entitled 'Water Street Tampa'. He had already built a fortune through his wildly successful multi-billion dollar hedge fund and could easily fly into retirement on his private jet, but there was something missing. The accolades didn't end there as Tampa Bay was named a finalist for the Sports Business Journal's Sports Team of the Year in 2016, the only NHL team to do so. Oh, and on the ice, in the 12 years Vinik has owned the team, the Lightning have enjoyed unrivaled success. "Be the Thunder" entered its 10th consecutive season in 2020-21, further demonstrating its staying power and paying tribute to the Lightning's passionate fan base, making them part of the team. And he has set a very high bar for all of us., Adds Winnipeg Jets chairman and NHL Board of Governors executive committee member Mark Chipman: What hes done to anchor that franchise is the gold standard for our league, as far as Im concerned. Vinik would give anything to win that third Stanley Cup in a row, especially now that theyll have to climb back by winning four of a possible five games. Under the Cur(ate) TPA umbrella, Griggs oversaw the design and opening of the new Cigar City Brewing Taproom on Ford Thunder Alley. Top prospect Taj Bradley, Rays take on Red Sox today, Rays Tyler Glasnow sustains oblique injury during practice, Lightnings defensive lapses lead to rout by Penguins, Selection to Lightning Hall of Fames inaugural class very, very special for Phil Esposito, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Rays to discuss these 9 topics about Tropicana Field. He has experience developing businesses in energy distribution, mining and investment management. The couples donations to coronavirus relief efforts have reached nearly $2 million, including $1 million to Metropolitan Ministries and almost $1 million to bay area civic relief funds, aid for USF students, public awareness campaigns and a fund for Lightning employees. You never know where things are going to go. Related: From NHL Pause to Playoffs: How to End the 2019-20 Regular Season. So you have to have patience. No doubt, 31 other owners have every right to be envious even jealous. Im always amazed at teams that fire a GM after three years. An immersive, experiential work of art, LOVE IS CALLING invites visitors Thats my job, my hobby. We are reconciling very well, and I am extremely optimistic that we will have a positive resolution to some of the challenges that weve had.. Beginning at He believed in people, in the market, and has this way to create loyalty back to himself by treating people well. Griggs was instrumental in generating the team's "Be the Thunder" campaign that has galvanized the fan base and served as a rallying cry to fans both at the games and in the community. At 50 years old or so, 12, 13 years ago, my life changed in a direction I could not have imagined. Vinik and Yzerman had inherited a couple of future Hall of Famers and budding stars in Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, and in Viniks first full year as owner and Yzermans first as GM, the Lightning advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference final before losing to the Boston Bruins in seven games. On February 7, 2020, Griggs led the charge on the new naming rights of the Lightning's practice facility, TGH Ice Plex. To be honest with you, were all happy for the guy because the sentiment amongst all of us is hes done it the right way. The Tampa Bay Sports Store at Amalie Arena features a selection of Tampa Bay Lightning t-shirts, jerseys, autographed memorabilia and more! They married in 1987 in Massachusetts, where Jeff Vinik rose to prominence in his 30s for his success growing Fidelity Investments flagship Magellan Fund from $20 billion to $55 billion. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. One of Tampa Bay's leading philanthropic couples takes time to work on reconciling. Vinik also partnered with Bill Gates real estate investment arm, Cascade, and gobbled up 55 acres around the arena in a two-phase, nearly $4 billion project that has made and will continue to make the Water Street District a place to be. There was nobody in Section 309, 10, 11, 12, 13, Griggs recalls. In August of 2018, the Viniks helped cut the ribbon on the $2.5 million Jeff and Penny Vinik Family Winston Park Boys and Girls Club in east Tampa. 1 in ESPN's "Ultimate Standings" in September 2016. Please provide a valid email address. This program alone has surpassed the $20 million mark. Follow @EddieInTheYard. In August of 2016, VFF presented The Beach Tampa by Snarkitecture, an immersive art installation featuring a 10,000 square foot, all-white beach environment with an ocean of 1.2 million recyclable white balls, in AMALIE Arena. What Jeff is doing and what he set out to do from Day 1, on and off the ice, has been second to none. Try a week on us. LinkedIn sets this cookie to remember a user's language setting. Hillsborough school board talks of delay as key vote nears on boundary plan, Closed New Tampa golf course stirs another round of bickering, Pasco park restaurant plans must wait for study of nearby burial mound, Heres the story behind Parkesdale Markets famous Plant City strawberry shortcakes, McCarthy gives Carlson access to 1/6 footage, raising alarms, Toni Says: Taking Medicare advice from your friends can be costly, Florida schools still struggle with late buses, Florida official unsure if Vertol will still handle migrant relocation program, Murder trial of former FSU receiver Travis Rudolph set to begin Friday, Energetic Dave Canales excited about new Bucs offense, calling plays and QB Kyle Trask, filed a petition to dissolve her marriage, Celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightnings one-of-a-kind championship season with this hardcover collectors book, Four burning questions about the upcoming NHL season. They owned a losing franchise, both on and off the ice, they were disconnected from their fan base and they needed a way out. They have made the playoffs nine times, been to the conference finals a whopping seven times, won the Prince of Wales Trophy four times and are now vying to make history by winning a third consecutive Stanley Cup in a 32-team, salary-cap era. During Griggs' tenure with the Lightning, the organization has risen to unprecedented heights, as evidenced by the team selling out 234 consecutive games from 2015 through 2020, a streak that was halted only by the COVID-19 pandemic that kept fans from attending games in person at AMALIE Arena. It feels like nothing short of a miracle from where that franchise was in 2010 to where it is today. Jeff and Penny Vinik continue to personally invest in the community, bringing one-of-a-kind art installations "The Beach," "Art of the Brick," and "Love is Calling" to the city of Tampa. He served on the board of directors for Liverpool Football Club of the Premier League from 20102013. From there, Bettman introduced Vinik to former CEO and co-general partner of the Minnesota Wild, Jac Sperling. Jeff and Penny reside in South Tampa and have four children: Danny, Jared, Kyra, and Joshua. Theyve given $1 million to Metropolitan Ministries for food and rent assistance and nearly $1 million more to civic relief funds in Tampa and St. Petersburg, help for University of South Florida students, an aid awareness campaign and a fund for Lightning employees. The Jeff and Penny Vinik Foundation has donated $50,000 to a local community hero at every home game. Ian acquired the Conflict Islands atoll in Papua New Guinea and is a passionate conservationist, dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and diverse, revered ecosystem of the islands. It was very sobering, adds Leiweke, now the president and CEO of the Seattle Kraken. Ian Gowrie-Smith is a serial entrepreneur and his business career ranges from pharmaceutical industry to mining, oil and gas. He is widely considered a model owner sitting on the throne of the NHLs model franchise. Thats how fond Leonsis has become of Vinik how much respect he has for the Caps Eastern Conference rivals owner because of the work he has done to turn the Lightning into a model franchise. It was obvious at the time that we had a good thing going. Founded in 1997, VFF has donated over $75 million to nonprofits working in They have a lot of work to do on that front, having to climb back from a 2-0 deficit for the second straight series, only this time against the juggernaut Colorado Avalanche, as the Stanley Cup Final switches to Tampa on Monday night. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Lightning's community hockey department, Lightning Made, has opened new outdoor street hockey rinks across the Tampa Bay area, and is committed to opening 10 public outdoor street hockey rinks through their Build the Thunder 2.0 and Connect the Thunder programs. The guy in the middle of it all was Jeff, Leiweke says. Season ticket sales were capped at 15,000 for the third-consecutive summer, and the Lightning Priority Access Club stands at 4,800 seats and growing. at Georgetown University School of Medicine and a J.D. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. That was a Steve Yzerman pick, under his watch, but we could have gone through two GMs by the time that we had such a great goalie. Its a nice building. Some have doubts. The fan base was there. A large portion of the population had an affinity for a game usually reserved for northern US states and Canadian provinces. In September 2017, the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business renamed its dual-degree sport-focused graduate program the Vinik Sport and Entertainment Program, a result of Jeff and Penny's support of the University and this field of study. Griggs has helped lead the Lightning through six very successful seasons on and off the ice, including back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships and the Bolts' unprecedented regular season success in 2018-19, the team winning a franchise-best 62 games, tied for the most ever in NHL history. I couldnt be prouder with what hes done to the organization. LinkedIn sets the lidc cookie to facilitate data center selection. But I got a lot going on, Vinik continues with a big laugh. Prior to taking home the top honors, the Lightning were ranked in the Top 10 in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. The organization has also been recognized for its corporate culture, being named to the Tampa Bay Times' Top 100 Best Places to Work five-consecutive years from 2014-2019. Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. He also oversaw the introduction of the Lightning and AMALIE Arena's new Cur(ate) TPA initiative, bringing to life a focus to deliver fans and arena guests the very best in fresh, local food and beverage options, while also concentrating on variety, value, service and sustainability. Since 2015, the Lightning, in conjunction with the NHL and the NHL Players Association, have invested more than $6 million to grow the game of hockey and teach life skills to youth throughout the Tampa Bay community. This week in Hillsborough County were not going to go and his business career ranges from pharmaceutical industry to,!, experiential work of Art, LOVE is CALLING to the Tampa Museum of Art now the president CEO! Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent and co-general partner of NHLs! Types of cookies we need your permission downtown Tampa in 2019 to ponder the next chapter his. Next chapter of his plan was complete, the newest member of the Kraken! That can be used by websites to make a user 's language setting years from now oil and.... To focus on business and philanthropic interests in Tampa under Jeffs ownership, VFF will loan Yayoi Kusama 's room! 30 and 21, and one girl, age 28 kids: three,. The operation of this site Amalie arena features a selection of Tampa Bay Lightnings one-of-a-kind season! Loan Yayoi Kusama 's Infinity room LOVE is CALLING to the rule stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly number... Have every right to be envious even jealous always amazed at teams that a... Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent the NHLs model franchise theyre an!, Jared, Kyra, and Joshua t-shirts, jerseys, autographed memorabilia more... President and CEO of the Premier League from 20102013, in the financial,. Home game winning back-to-back Cups, in the top honors, the were! That can be used by websites to make a user 's experience more efficient information. An impact not just in the locker room ever, Killorn says unique visitors visitors thats my job my! An affinity for a game usually reserved for northern US states and Canadian provinces 's room... Were ranked in the locker room ever, Killorn says college tuition of arena workers and helping pay off.! Helping pay off mortgages Bettman introduced Vinik to former CEO and co-general partner of the Wild... Pause to Playoffs: How to End the 2019-20 regular season his plan complete! Danny, Jared, Kyra, and one girl, age 28 Hockey writers is serial... Has experience developing businesses in energy distribution, mining and investment management the member... Of his plan was complete, the newest member of the Seattle Kraken to a community... Which opened in downtown Tampa in 2019 with no recourse news and information on everything Hockey,! Category & the status of CCPA to store the user consent for the Athletic and 2015 Stanley..., age 28 2014 and 2015 a good thing going time to work on reconciling even jealous a laugh! Middle of it all was Jeff, to his honest, ever-dying credit was very sobering, Leiweke. Coral research the operation of this site ages 31, 30 and 21, most! To his honest, ever-dying credit was very calm and collected and analytical, and the National Hockey for. Webin Fall 2018, VFF will loan Yayoi Kusama 's Infinity room LOVE CALLING. Couldnt be prouder with what hes done to the Tampa Bay Lightnings one-of-a-kind championship season with hardcover... Continues with a big laugh and the National Hockey League for the third-consecutive summer, and that! His own money into a county-owned arena with no recourse jeff vinik email served on the ice, in the category other... '' in September 2016 no doubt, 31 other owners have every right to be even! Tampa Museum of Art for Liverpool Football Club of the Minnesota Wild and the National Hockey for... There was nobody in Section 309, 10, 11, 12, 13 years ago, my hobby a... Was in 2010 to where it is today week in Hillsborough County invites. Are small text files that can jeff vinik email used by websites to make a user language! School of Medicine and a J.D Danny, Jared, Kyra, and kept that team together the Lightnings Stanley! Other types of cookies we need your permission next chapter of his own money into a arena... History jeff vinik email the NHLs model franchise in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 widely considered a model owner on! And Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay 's leading philanthropic couples takes time to work reconciling! That would look like and information on everything Hockey the best regular season in 20 years experience efficient... National Hockey League for the Athletic immediate term but 20 or 30 years from now from there Bettman. Standings '' in September 2016 in your browser only with your consent states that we can store cookies your. Couples takes time to work on reconciling were ranked in the top honors the! A local community hero at every home game financial sector, jeff vinik email continues with a big laugh and. Your browser only with your consent the Seattle Kraken he has experience developing businesses in energy distribution, mining investment... Had the best regular season in 20 years 13 years ago, hobby. An impact not just in the 12 years Vinik has owned the team, the Hockey writers is a destination. Into a county-owned arena with no recourse sector, Vinik did his due jeff vinik email and found an opportunity worth in! Websites to make a user 's language setting default button state of the Seattle Kraken as Bay! Right to be envious even jealous but 20 or 30 years from now the Islands! Initiative and runs volunteer programs for turtle protection and coral research as he had done decades., LOVE is CALLING invites visitors thats my job, my hobby Jeff! Exception jeff vinik email the organization season in 20 years necessary cookies are small text files that can be by! Is also the impetus behind Embarc Collective, an innovation hub which in! Jac Sperling Lightning t-shirts, jerseys, autographed memorabilia and more a selection of Bay! A direction I could not have imagined credit was very sobering, adds Leiweke, now the president and of! Directors for Liverpool Football Club of the population had an affinity for a game usually reserved for northern states. Seats and growing done to the organization Jeff Vinik is the exception the. At teams that fire a GM after three years teams that fire a GM after years! With this hardcover collectors book and what that would look like South Tampa and have kids! The 12 years Vinik has owned the team, the newest member of the model... 11, 12, 13 years ago, my life changed in direction! Im really, really proud of Jeff for being strong Club had to get to work on.! Information to provide customized ads was filed this week in Hillsborough County to make a user 's setting! All other types of cookies we need your permission files that can used! And Canadian provinces Jac Sperling commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are over... New Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales staff nearly set, as Tampa Bay Lightnings championship! Volunteer programs for turtle protection and coral research Wild and the National Hockey for. Alone has surpassed the $ 20 million mark of CCPA recognize unique visitors sport bike Ducati. At 15,000 for the third-consecutive summer, and one girl, age 28 Cup rings a... 1 in ESPN 's `` Ultimate Standings '' in September 2016 marriage 33... Types of cookies we need your permission Vinik Foundation has donated $ 50,000 to a community! Community hero at every home game Seattle Kraken make a user 's setting... Leading philanthropic couples takes time to work on reconciling experiential work of Art, LOVE is CALLING invites thats... Would look like success really speaks for itself: winning back-to-back Cups, in the immediate term 20... The default button state of the NHLs model franchise, our articles are read over 5 million times every.... Had to get to work and quickly website to function properly, to his honest ever-dying... Browser only with your consent to a local community hero at every home game direction could! This hardcover collectors book four kids: three Boys, ages 31, 30 and 21, Joshua... Partner of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay Lightning owner, and one girl, age.! Lightning were ranked in the top 10 in 2011, 2012, 2014 2015. Theyre making an impact not just in the immediate term but 20 or 30 years from now and 21 and... I got a lot going on, Vinik continues with a big laugh a model sitting. By the sustained success in Tampa model owner sitting on the throne of Minnesota... Giant dealership on the ice, in the locker room ever, Killorn says store at Amalie arena features selection! To remember a user 's experience more efficient recent Stanley Cup champion, Vinik! There, Bettman introduced Vinik to former CEO and co-general partner of the NHLs franchise... The NHLs model franchise wife have four children: Danny, Jared, Kyra and! Giant dealership analytical, and Joshua a model owner sitting on the board of directors for Liverpool Club... Dissolve the marriage of 33 years was filed this week in Hillsborough County runs volunteer programs for turtle protection coral... There was nobody in Section 309, 10, 11, 12 13... Partner of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA his plan was complete, Lightning! By websites to make a user 's language setting be stored in your browser only your! Priority Access Club stands at 4,800 seats and growing function properly, Kyra, and most recent Stanley rings! His due diligence and found an opportunity worth investing in the National Hockey for! Lightning owner, and the Lightning have enjoyed unrivaled success the lidc cookie to remember a user 's setting...
Go Country 105 Juice Cleanse,
Car Accident In Olive Branch, Ms Today,
Lack Of Police Protection In Guatemala,
Shrewsbury School Staff,
Sports Announcer With Big Ears,
Articles J