We already knew things were bad over at OK Hockey, but this seems pretty sad.
In March, they began charging their employees for parking. In April, they laid off 25 employees. In early May, we found out the Lightning were seeking additional investors to help pay off debt. And during the “Town Hall Meeting” for fans and media, they also held a garage sale:
Beginning at 6 p.m. there will be a used equipment sale on the arena floor of the St. Pete Times Forum. Items to be sold were formerly used by Lightning players. Assistant Equipment Managers Rob Kennedy and Clay Roffer will be available to answer any questions. The equipment sale will close at 7 p.m. and reopen after the question and answer session, which will also be taking place on the arena floor. Lightning defenseman Andrej Meszaros will sign autographs from 6-7 p.m.
But just like your yard sale, not everything was gone when it was time to wrap it up. So rather than taking the trip to donate leftovers to the Salvation Army, it seems the Bolts have put their “gently used” trophy case on craigslist.
Yipes…
I would guess that other pro sports teams have sold some items in the classifieds in the past. And truth be told, the current case looks huge with the small number of awards inside. There’s no reason to believe that will change anytime soon, so why not sell the thing?
Still, it’s tough to see your NHL team so desperate for cash. What’s next? Odd Jobs by Vinnie? Marty with a “will (try really sorta hard to) score goals for food” signs? Are we gonna bump into Oren down at Amscot?
By the way, if you want the display case, they want $300 for it.
Tino
9 months ago
You are creating “news” out of nothing. The team has held a used equipment sale EVERY YEAR since I’ve been a season ticket holder, so that’s been 6 years.
Usually they link it up with a season ticket holder event, just like this year. That’s probably why you haven’t heard about it before.
Nice try, though.
crack ho
9 months ago
i think Tino is technically correct, this in itself is not news. But there’s no denying that the Lightning is in serious financial trouble. I think our fair city was bamboozled by the Lightning. we should never have made the financial guarantees we made to them. In spite of winning the Stanley Cup, the team is just not that popular. However, if we’re lucky, we can USF to play their Mens Basketball home games at the Times Forum after the Lightning goes broke or leaves town. Almost everywhere in the USA, college basketball is much more popular than hockey. Of course, USF Basketball must improve, but I’m pretty sure that will happen.
Jordi
9 months ago
Hopefully USF basketball would be cheaper than the NHL. Why buy a nosebleed seat for $40 when I can go to the Trop and buy 3 upper deck seats for the same amount?