Jim called me this morning on my way to work, somewhat frantic, asking me to look up news of a press conference being held this morning by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was listening to WDAE (The Sports Animal) on his way to work and they mentioned it. I was in shock - the Tampa Bay Lightning, sold? No way! But sure enough, it’s true.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be holding a press conference at the St. Pete Times Forum this morning to announce the sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team, and leasehold rights of the forum to Absolute Hockey out of Kansas City. The new ownership group includes Doug MacLean, Jeff Sherrin and Oren Koules. All I can say is - I hope the team stays in Tampa Bay. PLEASE don’t take our Lightning away from us!

I’m not sure why the current owner, Bill Davidson, (who I guess will be the former owner if this sale is approved by the NHL board) wants to sell. He’s based out of Detroit and also owns the Detroit Pistons, so it’s not like he’s dealing with crappy losing teams that he’d need to unload.