Jeff Vinik is in talks to expand the ownership of the Tampa Bay Lightning, he confirmed in a statement Tuesday. The Tampa Bay Times reported that he would sell his majority stake in the team.
“I can confirm that we are in discussions to further expand our ownership group of the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Vinik’s statement said. “There will be no changes to the day-to-day operations of the Lightning and Vinik Sports Group. I am very excited about what is to come for the organization and we look forward to sharing more when the time is right.”
Sportsnet reported that the buyer is believed to be Doug Ostrover, co-founder and CEO of Blue Owl Capital, although the deal has not yet been finalized. According to Sportsnet, the sale would value the Lightning at nearly $2 billion.
Vinik, who purchased the Lightning in 2010 for a reported $170 million, is expected to take over leadership of the organization over the next few years and retain a large ownership stake, according to multiple reports.
With Vinik as owner, the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.
If the Lightning sale goes through, it would eclipse Michael Andlauer’s $950 million purchase of the Ottawa Senators in September as the largest purchase in NHL history.
Information from Field Level Media was included in this report.
