A bolt of funds

Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has put his stamp on yet another piece of Tampa — The University of South Florida's Muma College of Business.

Vinik and his wife, Penny, recently donated $5 million to the college, which in turn has renamed its dual-degree, sports-focused graduate program the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management program. Bill Sutton, who worked with Vinik and the Lightning to found the program about five years ago and serves as its director, says the Viniks' gift makes the program financially viable and “gives us a name that people across the country are going to be attracted to. It's going to be great for recruiting, and great for the Lightning.”

Between 2014 and 2016, USF sport and entertainment management program graduates enjoyed 100% job placement after graduation. Those weren't just run-of-the-mill, minor-league jobs, either: graduates are landing choice roles with top-tier sports organizations such as the NFL's Miami Dolphins, Major League Soccer's DC United, the Women's Tennis Association and, of course, the Lightning.