Pittsburgh Penguins fans just learning about the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup Playoffs dress code policy are not happy.
The Lightning don’t permit fans wearing visiting team apparel in designated areas of Amalie Arena during the post-season, including seats in the first two rows near the glass.
This shouldn’t come as any surprise, though, since the Lightning have had this policy in place for years.
“Only Lightning-branded or ‘neutral’ attire and apparel will be permitted in the Club and the Club-designated seating areas during 2015-2016 Lightning playoff games (including any pre-game and any post-game activities),” a statement on the team’s website reads. “Any attire, apparel, articles of clothing, accessories (e.g., hats, lapel pins, hair accessories, jewelry), or promotional collateral (e.g., mini-flags, noisemakers) that are branded with the name, logo, or registered mark(s) of the then-current 2015-2016 playoff opponent of the Lightning are expressly prohibited in the Club and in the Club-designated seating areas (together, the Restricted Apparel).”
Game 2 goes down Monday in Pittsburgh before the series shifts to Amalie Arena for Game 3 Wednesday and Game 4 Friday.
During the Stanley Cup Final last year, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel chirped the Lightning for this policy during their series against the Blackhawks. The team was also criticized for limiting playoff tickets to residents of Florida.
Erin on Twitter
Oh man…I’m going to game 4, flying down, paid my effing money to go…I’m wearing my Pens jersey you uppity jamokes.
Lets Talk Pens on Twitter
I say #Pens fans break into Amalie, sleep there over night, and riot when they are kicked out of the first row wearing their jersey.
Colin Dunlap on Twitter
The CONSOL Energy Center should bar all six Tampa Bay Lightning fans from wearing their team gear anywhere.
