According to multiple sources, the Tampa Bay Lightning have begun a multi-stage sale process that will value the team at close to $2 billion (US).
Those sources stressed the deal is not done yet, adding there will be no immediate change of ownership control and no change in the day-to-day operations of the team.
The purchaser is believed to be Doug Ostrover, co-founder and CEO of Blue Owl Capital, a very successful investment firm.
As part of the deal, current owner Jeff Vinik — enormously popular in the Tampa region for his work with the team — will retain full operational control of the organization for the next several years. He will continue to have a significant ownership stake as part of the new group.
Vinik bought the Lightning for a reported $170 million in 2010. He resuscitated the franchise both financially and competitively, with back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
This deal surpasses Ottawa’s $950-million sale to Michael Andlauer as the largest in NHL history.