Amalie Arena will be the new name of the Tampa Bay Lightning's home.
The team announced the name change to its downtown Tampa site, formerly Tampa Bay Times Forum, during a news conference Wednesday. Amalie Oil Co. has been awarded the naming rights to the 19,204-seat arena, which has hosted the Lightning since 1996.
The Tampa Bay Times, formerly known as the St. Pete Times, had owned the building's naming rights since 2002 under a 12-year deal valued at approximately $30 million. The arrangement to continue the Tampa Bay Times Forum title was extended through August 2018 three years ago.
"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," Lightning chairman and governor Jeff Vinik said in a release. "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."
Amalie Oil, started in 1903, is located in the Port of Tampa and supplies industrial lubricants and motor oil to international oil companies and more in each state and more than 100 countries.
The company also has the naming rights to the football field used by the Arena Football League's Tampa Bay Storm, who also play in the building now known as Amalie Arena.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
