TAMPA BAY – Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, LLC has entered into a long-term partnership with Amalie Oil Company (AM-a-lee), giving the manufacturer of motor oils and industrial lubricants naming rights to the downtown Tampa home of more than 100 events per year, including the home games of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Storm, Chairman and Governor Jeff Vinik announced today. The recently renovated 19,204 seat arena, which opened in 1996 as the home of the Lightning, will be hereafter entitled “Amalie Arena.” The arena naming rights had been controlled by the Tampa Bay Times (formerly St. Petersburg Times) since 2002. Although it cedes the naming rights of the arena to Amalie, The Times will remain the organization’s exclusive print partner.

“I am pleased that the Barkett family has chosen to partner with our organization in displaying the good name of its local, family owned company on our facility,” said Vinik upon making the announcement. “Like Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, the Barkett family and Amalie Oil are heavily vested in our community, providing jobs and stimulating economic activity. The brothers share our vision and values and we look forward to a long and healthy partnership working together to achieve business and community objectives.”