Tampa Bay Lightning Restrictions For The Stanley Cup Playoffs Against The Blackhawks.....

[global1]

The Tampa Bay Lightning franchise is restricting ticket sales to for the games to Florida residents only based on credit card billing address and orders by residents outside the selected area will be canceled without notice and refunds given

and

only Lightning team apparel or neutral apparel will be permitted in their club and lounge sections and adjoining seating areas in the arena - fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas.

This to me seems unsportsmanlike. I think the NHL needs to step in and say they can't initiate these restrictions. After all - I would think the NHL is for hockey in general and not for any one team. Restrictions like those initiated by the Tampa Bay franchise IMHO seems to be detrimental to the sport.

I'm curious as to what others think here on DU. I'm a Hawks fan and might just be too close to this to view this objectively.

Go Hawks!!!!!!

I feel sorry for the Tampa Bay fans that show up in Chicago for the other games - given what the Tampa Bay franchise is doing to the Hawks fans.

[marym625]

1. GO HAWKS!!!

Can't wait for the Stanley Cup parade!

[Electric Monk]

2. First I've heard of this, but after a quick google it seems you're correct

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/pass-or-fail--tampa-bay-lightning-s-anti-visiting-fan-dress-code-140431070.html

(snip)

The Bolts' ticket policy is two-fold. They restrict their ticket sales to certain Floridian zip codes, but this is a practice that’s been adopted by several other thin-skinned teams in the NHL that are apparently allergic to raucous, chaotic, entertaining atmospheres at their home games. (Looking at you, Nashville and Washington.)

(snip)

“We’re not going to apologize for the policy,” said Bill Wickett, the Lightning’s executive vice president for communications, told the New York Times. “We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season-ticket holders as we can, and we’ve been somewhat successful at it.”

(snip)

For me, the ticket policy is fine because it’s a small sample size: The Lightning are restricting visiting team gear in their premium seating, which means well over 14,000 seats for the plebeians who can wear red body suits under Jonathan Toews jerseys while carrying a deep dish pizza box with GO HAWKS written on it.

In other words, it’s like complaining that the club house has a different dress code than the course at a PGA event. The majority of the fans can wear what they wish and represent the team they'd like.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. This happens a lot.

I have seen it done in NFL playoffs and other events. I think it sucks to a degree.
I can understand not wanting to let the opposing teams monopolize ticket sales when they are offered. I can also understand not wanting opposing fans annoying those in areas where tickets are pricey.
I think that teams can get carried away though.

[dhill926]

4. It will only make the Hawks ultimate victory …

that much sweeter.

[DonCoquixote]

15. boo hoo

Tampa had hockey fans before the lightning, and Tampa is here with the lightning. The Northeast does not own the sport anymore, GET OVER IT.

Granted, it will be nice to see the two teams that actually realized Hockey is a game of SPEED fight it out, and it will be a great series, but frankly, the people who slam the Lightning are just angry that we made a hash of all those original teams (yeah Montreal, I am looking at your whiny asses.)

[dhill926]

20. well actually...

Chicago is in the Midwest. Enjoy the series, should be a great one.

[neverforget]

5. I can't wait for the game tomorrow night! It should be a good series.

I hope it goes 7 to get the maximum amount of hockey though.....

[Initech]

6. Crap if only my Ducks had thought of that.

Literally half the stadium was Blackhawks fans and they acted like they owned the place on Game 7.

Yeah and before you Blackhawks fans tear down this post I was at Game 7, I'm still bitter about the fan situation. No I won't get over it. Go Tampa.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

8. Who are you bitter at?

You should be bitter at your own fanbase. That was embarrassing, and it's not on Hawks fans.

[DonCoquixote]

14. Thank you

Chicago fans started crap with da bears in the NFL, and they act surprised when we do not want those antics to spread.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

7. The ticket thing has been going on for years, especially with the Capitals

I don't have a problem with that. Ultimately, you're hurting your own business if you can't sell out.

The clothing thing is stupid.

Your last line bothers me. It sounds disingenuous and like a veiled threat.

[tritsofme]

9. Rahm had a great response!

[petronius]

10. That's lame - I had a very slight preference for the Ducks (grew up in OC,

and worked for them years ago) but this kind of fan management is BS. Go Hawks!

(Although in truth I'd be pulling for Chicago anyway in this final: it's one of my favorite US cities and I'm partial to those long-standing northeastern teams that haven't moved around...)

[DonCoquixote]

13. the lightning has NEVER mobved

We are homegrown, and the reason we have a hockey base is because many of us were islanders, red wings and yes, even Blackhawks fans back where we came from.

The old six do not rule the sport anymore, get over it.

[petronius]

21. I didn't say the Lightning have moved, did I?

I described two characteristics that I value and which guide my preferences, in all sports to an extent, when one of my primary teams isn't in the mix...

(And if you're curious, I typically put teams that move on my own private probation: 10-15-20 years or so, and I'll consider cheering for them again.)

[lovemydog]

11. I don't have a problem with it.

They are building a fan base in Florida, which was hardly the home of hockey back in the day.

If you live in Florida you should go to a game. It sucks if you live there and can't get a ticket and then you watch it on tv and it's mainly Hawks fans.

I can understand why they'd have that policy.

[DonCoquixote]

12. This Tampa person thinks it is lame

Granted, let me give you the context, namely that a lot of other teams are famous for showing up and acting terrible. Green Bay started this when they started referring to our stadium as "lambeau field south" and making total beer-muscled assess of themselves. However, the fact we have this problem as also a sign of a tourist industry: let the folks come from up north and make asses of themselves at the Hooters near amalie arena, they will still spend money, and if they get their fists up, they can come on vacation and leave on probation, as the old saying goes. They want to act rude and patronizing, that is okay, because in the end, we get their money, and we will keep the cup.

I do want this restriction lifted, and I do think Amalie arena is being silly, however, if Chicago fans did not make regular asses of themselves at the football games, maybe Amalie would not have panicked. Yes, Chicago Bears fans are rude, argumentative, and start fights. I remember my first Buc game where Chicago took over a whole section and started to cuss and throw stuff at people.

[Sancho]

16. Same policy the Lightning have had for the playoffs all along.

I suppose that as long as they are sold out they may keep doing the same thing. Seems to me that it would be better to have sections for the visiting team as long as it was reciprocal like college teams do.

Right now, the playoff tickets are too expensive for me anyway - but the watch parties can be fun.

In 2004 when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup, I sailed in a regatta from Clearwater to Key West, and we all watched the games from bars in KW. Hilarious to see people in bathing suits and flip flops on the beach cheering for a ice hockey game.

Florida!! Go Bolts!!

[NCTraveler]

17. Go Bolts!!!!! Nt

[dembotoz]

18. Milwaukee brewers had similar prob with cubs fans and bucks with bulls fans

Often cheaper and easier to see a Chicago team in mile...it is an issue when the visiting team tries to take over

[WilliamPitt]

19. It's bullshit.

Go Bruins.

Oh, wait...