The future of Lightning hockey

Today on May 14th, 2025, the Lightning per NHL.com have officially announced their latest partnership with Scripps Sports to provide free Lightning games to fans across the Tampa Bay region starting for the 2025-2026 NHL season. 

The news comes freshly after the Lightning’s playoff exit, thereby marking a new era of Lightning hockey. While more official information about the Lightning’s latest deal can be found here, the main purpose of Bolts by the Bay's current article is to dissect the Lightning's latest deal from a fan’s perspective. 

The future of Lightning hockey

For Lightning fans who proudly call Tampa home, the news should have fans jumping for joy. Nhl.com’s article claims that fans will be able to access free games with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s official app and along with TV broadcasts. In an era where streaming has become the new norm throughout society whether it be television, film, or even sports, households have developed a culture of paying for multiple streaming platforms. Now, the Lightning have provided a new manner for watching Tampa National Hockey League games.

In having a free of charge system as Nhl.com announced, the Tampa Bay Lightning can potentially attract more eyeballs to their games. Fans that otherwise would not be able to view or may not have been interested in hockey now have a pristine opportunity to become more involved with the blue and white. Tampa Bay, known for its sports culture with teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and of course, the Tampa Bay Lightning has seen devoted fans from all walks of life. Now, fans will be able to bring the same excitement for sports to the Lightning in a light. In removing barriers to entry, the Lightning may have potentially increased their viewership in the future.

The effect of viewership

It is a known fact that fans power sports. As we saw during the covid-19 pandemic, the effect of no fans in attendance had a dramatic effect on all sports, regardless of league. Thus, the pandemic consequently escalated the significance of online viewership. Fans held sports near and dear to their hearts during a time of uncertainty. 

For hockey fans, specifically Tampa Bay Lightning fans, they know very well how important sports was to them during the pandemic. During 2020 and 2021, the Lightning completed their famous back-to-back Stanley Cup run. Both prized championship runs showed fans firsthand the value viewership can bring to a franchise. Despite the difficult circumstances, the Lightning brought hope to fans across Tampa Bay. Primarily during the 2020 Stanley Cup run, tuning in from home became especially valuable as in-person attendance was impossible. Due to their stellar play and work of the entire organization, the Lightning maintained their audience through the pandemic and have continued to grow ever since. What aided the Lightning in maintaining their audience? Streaming and television. 

Now in the year 2025, the Lightning are still one of the top teams in the Atlantic Division of the NHL. With their latest deal set to provide an affordable way to watch Lightning hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning are deftly poised to not only maintain their loyal fanbase, but to also add new fans along the way. It is safe to say that the future of hockey culture in Tampa Bay is looking bright.

A CEO that listens

What is most remarkable and intriguing to note about this deal, outside of the actual announcement itself, are comments made by CEO of Vinik Sports Group Steve Briggs. Per NHL.com, Briggs stated:

"A world-class fan experience starts with access — and fans have made it clear they want it to be easier to find and watch our games. This partnership delivers on that."

CEO of Vinik Sports Group Steve Briggs

For those unaware, Vinik Sports Group was created in order to operate the Tampa Bay Lightning as per NHL.com. Consequently, the man spearheading the charge is none other than CEO Steven Briggs.

The above quote should be comforting for Tampa Bay Lightning fans to read. Thankfully, there is no need to recite horror stories of team management and ownership to loyal audiences because that is not the case for the Lightning. Having a CEO who is not only listening to his audience, but also making productive deals to based off of his audience is vital from the survival of any business.

Especially since fans are the lifeblood of any sports organization, listening to feedback is foundational. Briggs, along with the rest of Vinik Sports Group, has demonstrated his determination in improving the fan experience. Being able to watch Lightning games seamlessly is critical component of Lightning hockey. Without it, Tampa Bay could very well follow in the footsteps of the Arizona Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers, and so on. In making a fan-friendly deal, Steven Briggs has solidified himself as a CEO that listens to hockey fans. Now when Tampa Bay Lightning strike, it will be able to be seen from every corner of Tampa Bay.