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Vinik has become the gold standard for an owner, not just in the NHL but also in pro sports. He took the Lightning from a bottomed-out laughingstock to a powerhouse, a team that has won more games than anyone over the past decade and somehow remains a contender, year after year.
Vinik also transformed downtown Tampa through massive redevelopment of the area and has donated millions to charity through community initiatives every home game.
Lightning fans voted Vinik the NHL’s top owner in treatment of the fan base and organizational stability, but he scored highly in every category to the point he ran away with the top spot. He is the only owner in the league to receive an A+ rating.
The only negative note? Vinik has sold most of his stake in the franchise and will step aside for a new majority owner in 2027.
Those are very big shoes to fill.
